Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-17
WHY AUSTRIA SENT
NOTE ON j. s. TRADE
High Official Explains Friendly
\ Sentiment Back of the
nh. Communication.
HAD THE FUTURE IN MIND
! AS WELL AS THE PRESENT
Dispatch Delayed for Fear 1t Would
~, Be Taken as Confession
l. of Weakness.

VIENNA, via London. July 17.-From
. highly authoritative source at the
foreign office a representative of the
Associated Press has received an ex-
PLANTATION of the motives that are said
to have inspired the dispatch of the
Austro-Hungarian note to the United
States recently regarding the American
traffic in war munitions.
The Austro-Hungarian statesman
who spoke said that although the facts
upon which the note is based had been
in existence for a long time. the COM
munication was sent only now, when.
after great victories in Galicia. 1t could
not be interpreted as cry for help
from a land in distress.
Not Inspired by Germany.
He disavowed in advance any idea
that the note was sent at the request
or Inspiration of Germany. asserting
that the step was taken spontaneously
in the hope that, owing to the undis-
turbed friendly relations between Aus
tria-Hungary and the United States.
the note would be assured sympa-
thetic reception in the latter country.
The note said this statesman, rs
inspired by friendly feelings of the
monarchy toward the Union. where so
many of our subjects have found a
second home. 1t is the speech or a
friend to a friend-an attitude which
we are the more justified in taking be-
cause the relations of the two states
have, as a fact, never been clouded.
1T might perhaps easily be source
of wonder that since the basic grounds
of the note have been in existence for
mt q
ago, but there is a reason for its ap-
pearance at this particular time.
Feared Lack of Understanding.
'In view of the incredible rumors and
reports about the condition of the mon
archy which have been circulated
throughout the United States this
note would surely have been interpret
ed at an earlier stage of events as a
confession of weakness, as an appeal
for help in distress. Today, when rich
harvest is being garnered throughout
the monarchy; when the talk of starv-
ing out Austria-Hungary therefore ID
rendered idle; when complaints OF
shortage Of ammunition are heard
everywhere else except in the allied
central monarchies. there cannot be the
slightest question of this.
"On the other hand it might be asked
why the note, under these conditions.
was issued at all. With nothing to
check the victorious progress OF the
central powers in sight, with their
ability to meet pressure in the eco.
be thought that it is a matter of in
difference to them whether America
continues her policy or not. That.
however. is not the case. The prob
war has brought up are Of far-reach-
ing Importance The solutions reached
will be standards of action for decades
to come.
Looking to the Future.
For eminently practical as well as
theoretical reasons. therefore. the mon
archy is forced now not only to con-
Germ itself with the questions Of the
day. but also to feel its responsibility
toward the future interests of man
kind, and for this reason the govern
ment thought 1t necessary to approach
the subject under discussion. the more
80 because 1t felt that the previous de-
bate pro and con had not, as it wished.
led to the desired result. and because
it believed that numbers Of arguments
specially laid down in The Hague con-
vention hitherto had escaped consid-
GRAFTON.
the note is the product of mature con-
sultation with international law ex-
perts of the first rank. The absence
Of the slightest hostile intent in 1t
against the Union is shown not only
by the opening phrases. but by the
fact that it was published only after
II leaked out in the United States that
there was no objection to it's publica-
ton.
War to Be Continued.
'.The question of whether Austria
Hungary feels that she is being cut on
by America may be answered unre-
servedly in the Affirmative. The mill
tary monarchy can and will continue
the war as long as necessary. The popu-
lation will. as hitherto. suffer neither
starvation nor material want. But there
are other interests than those connected
primarily with war which every gov
eminent Is bound to consider. and un-
hanpered trade relations with the
United States are of the greatest i'm
portance to
FINALLY, not only material. also ]
might say sentimental. interests play a
certain role not to be underestimate
among the people. Many warm friends
of America among US are painfully af-
fected by the fact that actual condi-
lions give the impression that Amer
lea, even though unintentionalIy, differ
entiates between the belligerents.
Kept the War Going.
Austro-Hungarian statesmen, con-
scious of the great role that America
will be called upon TO play in the
future. would forget their duty IL they
neglected to do everything in their
power to clear away the circumstances
that shake the confidence of the brave
ly fighting armies and the whole popu-
lation in the Justice of America. 1t is
clear that the war would have been
ended long ago il America had not sup
piled our enemies with the means OF
continuing IL.