The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-04-24
NOTE To GERMAN AMBASSADOR
STATES THAT sLURs ON Ma
ATOMS ATTITUDE WILL
NOT BE TOLERAT-
ED.
United States VIII not Discuss Course
Of Allies, as That Matter Between
Those Countries ana This-Em-
barge ON Arms Would be Consider
ell Breach OF Faith ON Part of
America.

Nv otA lth dilbtcotNoi
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
n means to uphold the legitimate
trade with Germany. especially the
trade In foodstuffs."
The American note. signed by Sec
rotary Bryan. was drafted ut the
state department but was finally
penned by President Wilson himself.
After pointing out that the language
used by Count Won Bernstorff lis sus-
ceptible OF being construed as impugn-
Ing n good faith of the United
States In the performance OF its du-
ties as n neutral" the note takes 1t
for granted that no such implication
was Intended and suggests that evil
IDENTIFY the German ambassador "is
laboring under certain false i'm
pr~essions."
IL then declares that while the rela-
tons OF the United States with any
one OF the belligerents "can not WISE
ly be made a subject of discussion
with a third government" such cor
respondence between the United
States and the allies as has been pub.
lished shows that steadfast refusal
OF the American government ito ac-
knowledge the right OF any belliger-
ent to alter the accepted rules OF war
at sea In so far as they affect thu
rights and interests of neutrals."
The attitude OF the United States
on tho question OF expectations of
arms Is restated-namely. that to
place any embargo on arms during
the progress of n war would be "a
direct violation OF the neutrality OF
the United States" The note refers
to the spirit of friendship which the
United States desires always to mani
fest toward Germany and its 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 communication was delivered
by messenger TO Count von Bern
storf late today and by agreement
with the German embassy tho state
department made II public tonight.
The text of the note follows:
"Excellency:
II have given thoughtful considera-
tion to your excellency's note OF the,
9TH Of April. 1915. inclosing a men,
of the same date, In which
your e~xcellency discusses the action OF
his government with regard to trade
between the United States and Ger
many and the attitude of this gov
IN with regard to the exporta-
ton OF arms from the United States
to the nations now at war with Ger
many.
Il must admit hat lam somewhat
Mt a loss how to interpret your excel
lency's treatment of these matters,
There are many circumstances con-
nected with this important subject to
which 1 have expected your excellency
TO advert. but OF which you make no
mention. and there are other circum-
stances to which you do refer which
would have supposed TO be hardly
appropriate for discussion between the
of the United States and
the government OF Germany.
Il shall take the liberty. therefore
OF regarding your e~xcellency's refer
ences To tho course pursued by the
government OF the United States with
regard to the interferences with trade
from this country such as the gov
eminent OF Great Britain has attempt-
ed as Intended merely to illustrate
more fully the situation to which Won
desire to call our attention. and nor
as an invitation To- discuss tina,
course.
You excellency's long experience
I'm international affairs viii have sug-
Eested TO you that the relations of m,
two government with one another
can not wisely be made a subject of
discussion with a third government
which can not be fully Informed as e.
h facts. and which can not be fully
cognizant of the reason for the course
pursued. I believe. however. that /
am justified In assuming that what
you desire to call forth Is n frank
statement of the position of this gov
eminent In regard to It's obligations rs
n neutral power. The general attitude
and course OF policy OF this govern
ment In the maintenance Of It's ncu.