Rock Island Argus., 1915-04-12
Charge of Partially to AL
lies Will Be Denied in
New Note.
WILL BE FRIENDLY ONE
To Be Held Germany Has
Same Right to Buy Arms
Here as Her Enemies.

Washington, D. c., April I'm the
/ formal note delivered TO Secretary OF
/ State Bryan few days ago and made
/ public last night by the German en-
/ bassy the German government charg-
| es the United States:
/ First, With one-sided neutrality in
( favor of the allies
Second, With acceptance of Eng
lands violations of international law.
Third, With supplying Germany's
enemies with munitions of war in
constantly increasing quantities.
For the United States to observe
neutrality Germany suggests:
First, An embargo on munitions OF
war
Second, Adoption Of means to stop
the exclusive expectation of arms TO
one side.
Third, Or use this export trade TO
force England 10 recognize the free
dom of legitimate trade in foodstuffs
between the United States and Ger
many.
{. $. Neutrality Impartial.
The reply of the United States,
which is being prepared by the state
L
the German charges. 1t will declare;
First, That this government has
! been absolutely impartial In its neu-
l traIIty.
Second. That not only has it not ac-
cepted England's violations of inter
national law" but has vigorously pro-
, tested against measures in conflict
with rules recognized as in force
prior TO the war.
Third, That there is no power
lodged in the executive to impose an
embargo upon munitions of war, and
that Germany herself, in a communi-
cation to the United States setting
forth the attitude of that government
toward contraband of war. expressed
the opinion that the allies were au-
thorized TO draw on the United States
contraband of war and especially
arms worth billions of marks"
Germany suggests that the United
States find means to stop the exclu-
sive expectation of arms TO one side
WOuid Sell to Germany.
American manufacturers are per
fectly willing to sell to the Germans
If they desire 10 buy. 1t Is not the
duty OF this government to provide the
means for the conveyance of contra
band to Germany which Germany
may buy. That duty rests upon the
purchaser.
If Germany should gain command
of the sea American manufacturers
would sell to her as readily as TO the
allies. In this coveted situation Ger
many would seize any and all contra
band shipped to the allies. II is con-
ceivabte that in such case the allies
might charge the United States with
the departure from the spirit of true
neutrality, as Germany has done be
cause of the failure of this govern
ment TO see that the supplies they
bought failed TO reach their destina
tion.
Mexican Case Not Parallel
Germany bases its plea for an en-
barge on arms on the quotation at
tributed 10 President Wilson that gem
unine neutrality justified his policy
prohibiting traffic in arms with all
factions in Mexico. This government
takes the view that the comparison
of Mexico and Germany is not fortu
nate; that IN the case of the former,
civil war prevailed. while in the lat
ter there is united country fighting
other countries.
Moreover, Germany herself when
at peace sold enormous quantities of
arms 10 belIigereuts. She supplied
the Russians during the Russo-Jap-
anese war. the Balkan states during
the war between that country and
Italy.
Would BE UnneHtral Act.
For the United States 10 send an
ultimatum to the allies declaring that
it would forbid the expectation of
war TO them unless they permitted
foodstuffs to go TO Germany would
be to cause this government. in the
Judgment of the authorities, 10 com
nit an unneutral act and surely in
voIve US in the world struggle.