The Sentinel=record., 1915-04-22
NOTE IS SIGNED BY BRYAN
Note Declares That to Place an Elm bargo on Arms During the War Would be Direct Violation of Neu- traIlty of the United States.

Washington, April 21-The United States government replied today to the recent memorandum in which Count Von Bernstorff, the German ambassador, declared that If the American people desire to observe true neutrality, they will find means to stop the exclusive importation of arms to one side, or at least to use this export trade as a means to up- hold the legitimate trade with Ger many, especially the trade in food stuffs
 The American note, which is signed by Secretary Bryan, was drafted at the state department, but finally was penned by President Wilson himself. After pointing out that the language used by Count Von Berstorff "is sus- ceptible of being construed as i'm pugning the good faith of the United States in the performance of its duties as a neutral,' the note takes 1t for granted that no such implica- ton was intended and suggests that evidently the German ambassador lis lab9ring under certai nfajse impress sions"
 |. t is then declared that while the felations of the United States with any one of the belligerents cannot wisely be made a subject of discus sion with third goyernment,' such correspondence between the United States and the allies as has been pub lshed shows the steadfast refusal Of the government "to acknowledge the right of any belligerent to alter so far as they affect the rights and interests of neutrals.'
 The attitude of the United States on the question of eXportatons of arms is e-stated-namely, that to place any embargo on arms during the progress of war would be "a direct Violation of the neutrality of the United States The note refers 10 the spirit of friendship which the United States desires always to manl- fest toward Germany and it's people, and concludes with the declaration that the neutrality of the United States lis founded upon the firm basis of conscience and good will
 The text of the note follows:
 fExcelency. l have given thought. full consideration to your eXcellency's note of the fth of April, 1915, enclos- ing a memorandum of the same date, in which your eXcelency discusses the action of this government with regard to trade between the United States and Germany and the attitude of this government with regard to the exportation of arms from the United States to the nations now at war with Germany
 "I must admit that l am somewhat at a loss how to interpret your excel lencys treatment of these matters, TAere are many circumstances con nected with these important subjects to which l would have expected your excellency to advert, but of which you make no mention, and there are other circum tances to which you do refer which I would have supposed to be hardly appropriate for discussion between the government of the United States and the government or Germany.
 "I shall take the liberty, therefore, of regarding your excelencys refer ences to the course pursued by the government of the United States with regard to interferences with trade from this country such as the govern ment of Great Britain have attempted, as intended merely to illustrate more fully the situation to which you desire to call our attention, and not as an invitation to discuss that course.
 Your excellency's long experience in international affairs will nave sug- gested to you that the relations of the two governments with one another cannot wisely be made subject oi discussion with a third government which cannot be fully informed aa tt the facts and which cannot be tolly cognizant of the reasons for the course pursued
 @I believe however, that l am justl fled in assuming that what you desr' to call forth is a frank statement O. the position of this government in re gard to it's obligations as neutra power. The general attitude an'