Omaha daily bee., 1915-09-20

1
deem sufficient without regard 70 my
opinions a. 60 rs justice when. how
ever. your government secs NJ 10 resort
to the extraordinary in It's humiliating
course OF preferring charges against me
TO my government without advising me
OF the Intended action or even intimating
that ouch action lie contemplated and TO
request my recall upon those charges
| as confessed. whilst at the same time re-
fusing me permission even to communi-
cate privately with my government. I
| respectfully protest against such action
as unjust to me and contrary TO diplo-
matte usage.
II ask you in all fairness was ever
an ambassador In a neutral country con-
fronted with such a situation. created
and enforced by the government 90 which
he IL accredited whilst ambassadors rep
resenting enemies OF his country have un-
limited means OF secret communication?
IL has been made literally impossible for
me 10 communicate privately with my
government.
No Apologies to offer.
Under such conditions ! have no apoi-
ogies to offer for having entrusted my
letter to Mr.. Archibald. II the convey
ing OF letters to Europe by Americans
travelling abroad during this war Is an
offense. Il Is one OF which most Ameri-
cans are apparently ignorant, as the
courtesy has frequently been volunteered
by my friends and is habitually prscticed.
u did not occur to me that Il was i'm
proper nor am able yet 20 see II IN
that light, having regard 10 the entirely
legitimate purposes | had in mind In
the line OF the performance of my duty"
4 -.
stances under which he says he acted
and his reasons in forwarding 20 the
Austro-Hungarian minister for foreign
affairs the letter which was the occa-
sion for the request for his recall.
The ambassador thon recounts the
proclamation issued by the German gov
eminent calling attention of It's citizens
resident in this and other foreign coun-
tries TO the severe penalties they would
incur by participating In the manufac-
ture OF munitions for the countries with
which Germany lie at war. As a result
the ambassador stated many German
citizens surrendered their positions in
American munition factories.
They could have probably" he added.
seen no distinction In principle or effect
between accomplishing the slaughter OF
their countrymen IN this way and TAX
ing UP arms against them except that tho
former method would be more effective
than the latter"
Provision Of Penal Code.
Or. Dumba then states that he was ad-
vised by his government OF the issuance
OF a similar proclamation. This. ne said,
called attention TO section OF his gov
ernment's penal code which made Il a
|
ten 10 twenty years and under certain
circumstances by death for any OF our
citizens 10 engage in the manufacture
OF munitions TO be used against Austria
Hungary.
DIR. Dumba said that he thereupon made
strong representations to his country for
q suspension OF the operation OF this law
against citisens of Austro-Hungary resi-
dent in this country because. no said,
unlike the German workman. 'our cizi-
Gems In those factories were largely
poorly paid, unskllled iaborcrs. most OF
whom were unable 70 read. or write any
language than their own. who were work
ing under conditions OF unspeakable hard
ship and who would find II difficult. II
not impossible. to secure other employ
ment and who had not the means OF sub
siatence for themselves OF families"
DR.. Dumba then explains that he
though Il necessary TO acquaint these
people with the fact that they were
violating the laws OF their country and
also TO provide a means OF livelihood for
them through employment agencies.
II was" the ambassador continued.
accordingly instructed 60 use every
proper means OF dissuading our citizens
from committing this crime OF high trea-
son against the country to which they
owed their allegiance IN its hour OF
greatest need.
HAD Taken No steps Thea.
AT tho time OF the publication OF your
message I had as yet yet been able 70
take no step toward carrying out these
instructions and had OF course no inten-
ton Of doing 30 In any way that would
violate the laws CT cffenc against the
customs Of the country whose hospitality
have enjoyed and whose friendship my
country deeply appreciates and IL anxious
70 retain.
MY absolute right and duty 20 call my
countrymen in the United States out OF
their respective employments 20 the ranks
as soon as Austria-HunEary was In
state Of war has not been and cannot be
uut3DOueus Ahe EENuSh anu AthAAaht ahh-
bassadors did and are doing this without
question from official quarters Why
then Is the former characterized as con-
Fpiracy In my case whilst the latter is
recognized as legitimate Is applied 70 the
action OF the alliesT'
DIR. Dumba says that he has information
that In the event OF war between this
country and foreign powers our citizens
in foreign lands who aided the enemy in
its supply Of ammunition would be
equally guilty as they took up Erms
against their government.
IT." Dr. Dumba continues. by argu-
: ment or persuasion through the limited
channels open 10 us under the present ex-
: oeptionai conditions. or by otherwise pro-
viding for their wants. we are able TO
! prevail upon our citizens to discontinue
their attacks upon their fatheFiand, Il a
not only our right, but our bounden duty
TO do so
The ambassador then says that none
OF the suggestions made 10 him for tying
mp munitions plants has been acted upon.