Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-22
WILSON REPLIES TO
COUNT BERNSTORFF
Presidents Makes Vigorous Answer 20
Protest Against AlIsssd unnsutpal
Attitude OF United statss-aupss.-
tjons Rsjsetsd.

| Washington, April e2-The United
States government replied Wednesday
night to the memorandum in which
Count Won Bernstorff, the German am
bassador declared that "if the Ameri-
can people desire to observe true neu-
trality they will find means to stop the
exclusive importation of arms to one
side, or at least to use this export trade
as means to uphold the legitimate
trade with Germany, especially the
! trade in foodstuffs."
! The American note, which is signed
by Secretary Bryan. was drafted at
the state department but was finally
penned by President Wilson himself
After pointing out that the language
used by Count Bernstorr "is suscep-
tible Of being constructed as impugning
the good faith of the United States in
| the performance of it's duties as a
neutral" the note takes it for granted
that no such implication was intended
and suggests that evidently the Ger
man ambassador "is laboring under
certain false Impressions
Points to Record.
|
relations Of the United States with any
one of the belligerents can mot wise
ly be made subject Of discussion with
a third government" such correspond
ence between the United States and
the allies as has been published shows
"the steadfast refusal Of the govern
ment "to acknowledge the right OF
any belligerent to alter the accepted
l ~,,1a ~ OF i,,s1 .
| feet the rights and interests Of neu-
trails.
The attitude Of the United States
on the question Of expectation Of arms
| is re- e-stated-namely, that to place any
embargo on arms during the progress
of war would be "a direst violation
of the neutrality Of the United States
The note refers to the spirit of friend
ship which the United States desires
always to manifest toward Germany
and its people and concludes with the
| declaration that the neutrality Of the
United States ais founded upon the
Arm basis Of conscience and good will.
The communication was delivered
by messenger to Count Won Bernstorfl
ment with the German embassy, the
! state ucHdAtAACHS AA1AuO ~ PuOhS VvSN-
nesday night.
Note in Part.
Regarding the expectations Of arms
and munitions Of war the note says:
Il note with sincere regret that ir
discussing the sale and expectation ol
arms by citizens OF the United States
to the enemies OF Germany. your ex.
cellency seems to be under the i'm.
preston that 1t was within the choice
Of the government Of the United State,
notwithstanding Its professed neutral.
ity and Its diligent efforts to maintain
| it in other particulars. to inhibit thii
trade and that Its failure to do q
manifested an unfair attitude toward
Germany. This government holds a,
I believe your excellency is aware. and
as 1t is constrained to hold in view o
the present indisputable doctrine o.
accepted international law. that an,
change in its own laws Of neutrality
during the progress OF war which
would affect unequally the relations o.
tho United States with the nations a
war, would b IN unjustifiable depar.
ture from the principles Of strict neu.
| trality by which 1t has consistently
songht to direct its actions ana re.
Gpecttully submit that mono Of thu