New-York tribune., 1915-09-08
HOPES TO AVOID
DISMISSING DUMBA

Secretary that l could not say to the
public. | would like TO tell you all
about il, but there are many things
that the press and the public could not
or would not understand. All can
sa, 10 YOU now is thai my statement
at Lenox contains everything that can
be made public at this time.
The Secretary and the ambassador
mutually pledged secrecy concerning
their conversation, pending the decI-
sion Of this government as to the ac-
tion it will take.
The ambassador was impatient as he
was pressed with further questions
and would only say 81 don't know
yet" in answer. Finally he threw up
his hands and exclaimed, You are too
curiousi" and escaped.
After leaving Secretary Lansing: {:
Office, pursued by formidable body OF
newspaper men and motion picture
machine operators, he walked around
several blocks until he believed he was
no longer observed. Then he returned
TO the State Department, entered by a
side door. and went 10 the office Of
Third Assistant Secretary Phillips, who
has general charge Of the routine Of
the State DEPARTMENTS relations with
European powers. Amy surmise as 70
the ambassa sador's mission was possible
from the actual issuance OF passports
TO an inquiry concerning the welfare
Of Austrian prisoners in Serbia. Dr.
Dumba was in Mr.. Phillips's office more
than twenty minutes, and then dlsap-
peared in the direction of the embassy
Mystery in Call.
Mr.. Phillips Immediately reported to
Secretary Lansing. His refusal to dis
cuss the call of the ambassador,
coupled with the latter's odd behavior,
caused a strong feeling that the talk
had 10 do with matters far more I'M
portant than are usually discussed with
foreign diplomats in the office OF the
Third Assistant Secretary.
President Wilson and Secretary
Lansing conferred for half an hour be-
fore Or. Dumba arrived at the State
Department, and again exchanged
views after the ambassador left.
Secretary Lansing's report of the
conversation 20 the President revealed
that DR.. Dumba had no new facts 70
present in defence Of his conduct. No
doubt remains in the minds of either
Secretary Lansing or the PRESIDENT
that there is ample justification for de-
manding the ambassadors recall, but
they hesitate to give any cause for
Ill feeling between the governments at
this critical juncture. They believe,
! il is understood, that the United States
should show itself willing to be more
than fair TO the Germanic allies. 10
give them no opportunity for com
plant.
The use of this mild term "indis-
Greet" TO describe the interference OF a
foreign diplomat in the internal affairs
Of the nation 20 which he is accredited
Z indicates that every effort will be made
( TO pass over the matter without any
| drastic action. The probability is, as
/ officials see il, that Dr. Dumba will re-
/ eeive a warning that any further "in-
( discretions" will make him persona
non grAta and will result in his imme-
/ diate departure.
/ The general feeling here is that the
administration should, without waiting
/ for a repetition Of the offence, inform
| Dr. Dumba that IL can no longer deal
with him as the representative of the
/ Austro- Hungarian government, at the
same time informing Vienna that DR..
Dumba must be replaced by an official
acceptable 10 the United States. There
can be no excuse or palliation, il is
declared. for such conduct as that of
DR. Dumbs.
Austria Without Jurisdiction.
The ambassador told Secretary Lam
sing that he was dealing only with
Austrian subjects who are reservists
Of the Austrian army. This is held TO
be without the slightest validity. Pri-
vate individuals have no extraterri-
torial rights, Il is pointed out, and
when they leave their home country
their governments have no jurisdiction