The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-16
Austria-Hungary and Germany
Officially Informed There Is
No Hope United States VIII
Restrict Shipments
DISTINCT CHECK UPON
EMBARGO SENTIMENT
Statement That This Country
Would Be Fatally Embar-
rassed at Outset of War. I'm
less Neutrals May Sch to tel
ligerents Creates Stir

Washington, Aug. 15.-
Austria Hungary and Germany
now know official that there is
no hope Of the United States
disseminating or even re-
stricting shipment of war sup
plies to the allies.
This the Teutonic govern
ments have learned from the
note which the State Depart
ment has sent to Austria and
which was made public here to-
day. This communication is in
the form of a reply to the
Vienna protest against the bust
ness being done by Americans
in war munitions, setting forth
the position of this government
firmly and vigorously.
Austria is notified fatty that
this government will not even
consider acceding to her re-
quest. So strong is the stand
taken by the Washington gOT-
eminent that this note. not nnlx
will probably end the diplC3
matte exchanges on the subject,
but viii operate as a distinct
check upon the sentiment de-
veloping in this country in
favor OF an embargo.
While President Wilson in
this note, as in all others to
European governments on the
war issues takes his stand rlrIn-
ly upon the principle involved
and upon the usage Of nations
he introduces another feature,
which by many is regarded as
the most striking of the note.
The President bases his re-
fusal to consider the Austrian
suggestion on the practical
grounds OF its effect on the abil-
ity of the United States to meet
a foe in the event of war.
Our Power to Purchase.
This government tells Austria that
the policy OF the United States from
the foundation Of the Republic not TO
maintain In time of peace a large
military establishment Of arms; that
the United States has, in fact. always
depended upon the right and power
TO purchase arms and Ammunition
from neutral nations In case OF foreign
attack.
In citing the domestic policy arafnst
mtlitarisin. the American note makes
this remarkably frank acknowledg-
ment:
In consequence of this standfnr
policy the United States would, in the
event OF attack by a foreign power.
be 81 the outset Of the war, seriously.
II not fatally embarrassed BY the lack
OF arms and ammunition. and by the
means to produce them in sufficient
quantities to supply the requirements
of national defense
Confession Causes stir.
The statement that In case Of war
this country would be fatally enbar-
raised at the outset OF war caused
more OF stir In Washington than
any other feature OF the note.
The President makes Il clear to Aus
tria. and through her, to Germany.
that to accept the suggeetfon that q
neutral ought TO prohibit the sale Of
arms and amfnunftfons to hellsgereftfs
not only would be repudiating the :
policy by which this government has
always stood, but would be Compel.
Ing every nation. including the Tinted
States, To have In readiness at all 4
tttnes sufficient munitions OF war Ia
NaAhIe them to: cope with i more az
eysHeive and ADLER prepared enemy In
Skher words the acceptance Of the
LeWtonics proposals. would Ne to turn
the world into an armed camp. pro-
mote milttartsm and retard the moxe
mcnt for uutvSrSHI peace Sc FTT a mi
10 Check E,mbarxu Sentinle6lt. M IL
In advancing this argument ~
Presidents clearly Was aiming NJ 1k2
embargo movement IN this cpnAkfx
much asflle waD "a the proposals r. 2SS
BY Anstrta and kf4rmauy xxe % 7&&7 4
seixed the opportunity offered ~ tn 4
reply to Austria to check tho l660sSs
ment that u aasninx headN48 III fEI &
south In favor OF an embar&0 ~ y1iH1s
munitions a. an act Of reprtleI ~ u
Gfeet Britain. Il h 4 \ a ss
The embarxo move1zenk Uni ~ nv
support of some 0f tn N ~ M !
and the belief here t6SfG& nj " ~
"a iheir ewn sround 1i9 1|s9 = y r. NJ
from which Il Mait III Il n y ~ q y ~
% xacoysx Al stl14 p - = s. = \ - "a = =