New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-17
DENIES GERMANY
BACKS AUSTRIAN
PROTEST TO U. S.
Note Prompted by Needs
of Future, Says Foreign
Office Official.

Vienna (via London, July l6.-Ihat
Germany inspired or in any way was
behind the Austro. Hungarian note to
the United States regarding the ship
ment of war munitions was authorita-
lively denied to a representative OF The
Associated Press by high official OF
the Foreign Office.
The Austro- Hungarian statesman
who spoke said that although the facts
upon which the note is based had been
in existence for long time. the COM
munication was sent only now, when
great victories in Galicia prevented its
Interpretation as a cry for help from
land in distress. He disavowed in ad-
vance any idea of German inspiration,
asserting that the step was taken spon-
taneously in the hope that, owing to
the undisturbed friendly relations be-
tween Austria Hungary and the United
States the note would be assured a
sympathetic reception in the latter
country.
"The note" said this statesman, us
inspired by friendly feelings Of the
monarchy toward the United States
where so many of our subjects have
found a second home. 1t is the speech
of a friend TO a friend-an attitude
which we are the more justified in TAX
ing because the relations Of the two
states have, as a fact, never beer
1T might perhaps easily be a
source of wonder that since the oaslc
grounds of the note have been IN e%'
istence for months the note was nov
sent long ago, but there is a reason
for its appearance at this particular
time.
Feared Notes Misinterpretation.
"In view of the incredible rumor'
and reports about the condition o.
the monarchy which have been CIR
culated throughout the United States
this note would surely have been IN
ternreted at an earlier stage OF events
as confession of weakness, as an ap'
neal for help in distress. To-day
when a rich harvest is being garnered
when talk of starving out Austria
Hungary therefore is rendered idle
when complaints of shortages OF am
munition are heard everywhere else
except in the allied central mon
arches. there cannot be the slightes
question of this.
"On the other hand, 1t might b'
asked why the note, under these con
ditions. was issued a. all. WIZ
nothing to check the victorious prog
ress OF the central powers in signt
with their ability TO meet pressure II
the economic field demonstrated,
might well be thought that 1t IS
matter of indifference to them whether
America continues her policy or not
/ That. however. is not the case. lh'
nrobiems Of international law whlcf
This war has brought up are OF far
reaching Importance. The solutions
I reached will be standards OF Actioi
for decades TO come.
For eminently practical as well a.
/ theoretical reasons. therefore. the mon
arcbv is forced now not only to con
cern itself with the questions OF I'M
dav hut also TO feel its responsibility
toward the future interests OF man
/ kind. and for this reason the govern
ment thought it necessary TO approach
/ the subject under discussion-the NOR
so because it felt that the previous de
hate pro and con had not, as II wished
led 70 the desired result. and becaus'
II believed that numbers OF argument
specially laid down in the Hague con
vention hitherto had escaped consider
alton.
at may. of course. be assumed tha
the note is the -roduct Of mature con
sideration and was drafted after con
sultation with international law e1
perts of the first rank. The absence
OF the slightest hostile intent in /
against the United States is shown no
] only by the opening phrases. but b,
the fact that il was published only
after il leaked out in the United State
that here was no objection to its pub
J lication.
THE question of whether Austria
Hungary feels that she is being cut of
by America may be answered unre
servedly in the affirmative. The mill
tary monarchy can and will contlnu
the war as long as necessary. TIL
population will. as hitherto, SUITE
| Continued on page 2, column