The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-08
Dealt With Plans to With draw Austro-Hungarians
 From Munitions Plants
TO BE SUBMITTED TO
 PRESIDENT W,s ION
He Will Decide Wh> e. ,lanation Is Satisfactory .oo ysed Amer ican Passpo osS i'd Messenger
 Bearing .sy Dispatches

Washinton, September 7-Dr Con. stantin Dumba, the Austro- Hungarian ambassador. laid before Secretary Lansing today an explanation of let ter written by him to the Vienna for eign office discussing plans for with drawing Austro-H Hungarian labor from American plants making war supplies for Great Britain and her allies.
 Neither the ambassador nor Mir Lans- ins would comment upon the interview when 1t was over. The impression pre- vailed in official quarters, however. that the Secretary would submit the matter to President Wilson, with whom would rest the decision as to whether the explanation was satisfactory.
 Was Seized by British
 The text of pr. Dumbas letter re- gently seized by British authorities from its bearer, James r. J. Archibald an American, was cabled the state de- partment early today by Ambassador Tage at London. and had been the sub Ject of a conference between the Presi- dent and Secretary Lansing before the ambassador reached the department It is understood that the use of ar American passport to shield the mes senger, who carried not only the Dumt a letter but dispatches from the German embassy and other documents, was re- garded by them as quite as serious A matter as the activities revealed by the letter itself
 MT. Lansing's only statement on the subject was negative response wh ,n asked whether any steps had been taken toward bringing the situation to the attention of the Austro- Hungarian foreign office.
 From reliable sources it was learned tonight that Dr. Dumba in making his explanation outlined the Austro Hun garian view of the plans dealt with in nis letter. contending that it contein- plated no violation. of laws of the Uni- ted States nor offense against Ameri- can institutions. So far, it was said no steps had been taken by the ambas- sador. who had been instructed to give widest publicity to a new decree of his government making nationals liable under martial law for rendering as- sistance in the manufacture of muni- tions of war for the enemy.
 Severe Punishment Provided For
 This. decree, previously announced provides punishment of long terms oi imprisonment and even death by hang ing for Austro-H -Hungarians committing the offense at home abroad. Cc- operation in carrying out the purposes $ of the law, 1t was pointed out. was held to be mere fulfillment of the duty of an ambassador charged with protection of his nationals It was not denied, however. that Austria-H -Hungary's rep- resentatives. while they had no desire to injure American interests. would not hesitate to handicap in any way possi- ble the efforts of their enemies to ob- tain munitions
 At the embassy tonight it was stated that Ambassador Dumba expected to see Secretary of Labor Wilson tomor . row before returning to his summer quarters at Lenox Mass. The ambassa- dor is known to be working on scheme for setting up an employment bureau to take care of men who leave intuition factories at his instigation. He wants the cooperation of derart- ment of labor officials in the plan. After seeing Secretary Lansing, Dr Dumba returned to the state depart ment and conferred with Assistant Sec retary Philipps, In charge of the west ern European affairs division. It was understood that they discussed some matters of routine business. ..
 There has been no suggestion here that the ambassador had violated Amer ican law and apparently the only ques- ton is whether the administration will regard his acts as breaches of diplo matic propriety. Dr. Dumba himself asked for the conference with MT. Lansing after the announcement Of Archibald's detention and the publica- ton in this country of extracts from his letter