Omaha daily bee., 1915-08-17
UNITED STATES IN
REPLY TO AUSTRIA
State Department Makes Public the
American RejOinder to Complaint
Over Sale Of Munitions.
SOLD BELL1GERENTs WEAPONS

iectine views set forth by the Austro-
Hungarian recent note, declaring
that transportation OF war munitions
from the United States to Austrian
enemies was conducted on such
scale as TO be mot in consonance
with the definition OF neutrality"
Though friendly in tone, the note
fiatiy denies the Austro-Hungarian
contentious and recalls that that
country and Germany furnished mu-
milton OF war to Great Britain for the
Boer war when England's enemies
could not import such supplies.
1t insisted that the American gov
ernment IL pursuing a strictly neu-
trail course and adhering to a princi-
pie upon which II would depend for
munitions in the markets Of the
world In case Il should be attacked
by a foreign power.
Attention is directed TO tho fact that
Austrla-IInngary and Germany before
the war produced great surplus Of war
munitions and sold them throughout the
world. especially 10 belllserents." and
that never during that period did eithor
Of them suggest or apply the principle
now advocated by the imperial and royal
government"
Full Text Of Note.
Following IL the full text OF the Anicrt-
can reply to the Austro- Hungarian note
regarding expectation OF arms and am
munition from the United States to the
allies:
.'The Secretary Of state. to Ambassador
Ponfield:
Department OF State.
WASHINGTON. Aug. i2.--Please pre-
sent note to the royal foreign office in
reply to It's note OF June % In the follow
Ing sense;
'.The government OF the United States
has given careful consideration TO the
statement Of the imperial and royal gov
crnment IN regard 20 the expectation OF
arms and ammunition from the United
states 70 the countries at war and Austro-
Hungary ana Germany
eThe government OF the United states
notes with satisfaction the recognition by
che imperial and royal government OF the
undoubted fact that its attitude with re-
gard 70 the expectation OF arms and am
munition from the United states Is
prompted by lis intention 20 maintain the
strsctest neutrality and to conforms 60 the
letter OF the provisions OF the interna-
tionai treaties but is surprised 20 find
the imperial and royal government imply
ing that the observance OF the strict
principles Of the law under the conditions
which have dsveloped In the present war
is insufficient and inserting that this gov
ernment should go beyond the long rec
ognlsed ruiea governing such traffic by
neutrals and adopt measures to maintain
an attitude OF strict parity with respect
20 both belIgerent parties
Untted states Declines.
To this assertion OF an obligation 10
change or modify the rules OF lnternar
tionai usage on account OF special con-
dltions. the government Of the United
States cannot accede. Tho recognition
OF an obligation Of this sort, unknown
20 the International. practice OF the past
would impose upon every neutral nation
q duty 70 81 in Judgment on the proeresl
Of war and 20 restrict its commercial IN.
tercourse with a belliGerent whose nava
successes prevented the neutral from
trade with the enemy. The contention o.
pears 70 be that the advantages gainet
10 q belllgerent by its superiority on th,
sea should be cquallsed by the neutra
powers by the establishment OF syu
TEN OF nonlnlercourse with the victor
The imperial and royal government con
fines its comments 70 arms and ammunl
eensnSs 9 u i sound ne Il should 0E sprly ' viii
equal force 60 all articles OF contraband
A heiliGerent controlling the high sea
might possess an ample supply OF arm
and ammunition. but be In want OF foo,
and clothing. On tho novel prineipl
that equalization u a neutral duty. neu
an embargo on such articles because on
OF the belligerents could not obtain ther
through commercial intercourse.
On Laad "a Well as sea.
But II this principle, 50 strongl
urged by the imperial and royal govern
reason % q the superiority OF a SelIiseI y
ent at sea, ought AZ not 10 opcrat
equally a. 10 belllgorent superior Q
Iandl Applying 70 this theory Of equal
zntion. q beiiEercnt who lacks IN
necessary munitions 10 contend success
fully on land ought TO be permitted I
purchase them from neutrais while
stores or with the power to produce thel
should Be debarrod from such traffic
Manifestiy the idea OF strict neutralis
Row v.. sevsneee & 1S me .svnlHs i%lpersa , sne roy
tion IN a mass OF perplexities whic
would obscure the whole field OF Il
ternationAl obligation. produce eeonom
Industry OF iegitlEnete fields Of enterprii
already heavily hurdened BY the unavoil
able restrictions of war.
Mensfon of Beer War.
In this connection. Il ls pertinent
direct the attention Of the inoerlal n,
royal govefufnent 70 the fact that Au
trla-Hungnry and Germany, particular
the latter have during the years pr
cedinf the present European war pr
ducod a great surplus OF arms ana az
munition. which they sold throughout II
world and especially 70 bolliEorenl
Never during that period aid either
them anEfeat or apply the principle nc
advocated b. the iupeFiai and royal 80
During the Boar war between Gre
Britain and che aouth African republic
the patrol % the coasts OF the nelghbo
ing neutral colonies BY British nav
ycssels prevented arms and ammunitll
reaehing the Transvaal or the Dram
The ailisd republics we're In a sltuatl.
almost identfcal on that respect wi
thai n which Austria-liungary and Ge
many nnd themselves at the prese
Arnas sola % Ensland.
Yet. IN aplle Of the comnerciai iaol
ton ~ one belliEcrent. Germany sold
Great Britain and other bellieefenta IN
gtnpoW WdeT, cartridges. shot and wea
ons, and u 4 known that Auatria-IIu
gary also sold similar munitions 20 q
same purchaser. though IN small guam
While. a. compared win the prese
war, the quantities. sold were ANAL
table or salss - appenfedl.