The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-08
Austro Hungarian Govern
ment Itself Was Meddling
With American Affairs
SITUATION PRESENTS
MORE SERIOUS ASPECT
Question Not One Mans Per-
nicious Doings But of Wen
mas Interference in Domes-
tic Matters in This Country

Washing ton, Sept. 7.-An Is
sue of grave importance has been
raised between the United States
and Austria Hungary as D re-
suit of q statement made to Sec
rotary Lansing today by DIR. Con-
stantine Theodore Dumba, the
Austro- Hungarian ambassador at
this capital. At the conference
between the amba ssador and the
Secretary Of State, DIR. Dumha
IL said to have informed Mr.. Lam
sing that In writing the letter
to Foreign Minister Burian. sug-
Costing measures whereby the
Bethlehem Steel and other mu-
milton plans might be embar-
rasscd by the withdrawal of Aus
tro- Hung arian workmen. he was
acting In accordance with In
structions issued by his govern
ment. The letter was found on
the person Of j.. r. j. Archibald
by British authorities In London
last week. 1t now develops that
the document In question was
not . suggestion originating with
Ambassador Dumba. but a report
submitted upon orders from VI.
emma.
An International Question.
In the opinion of officials, the Dunn
ba letter, in the light of the state
ment made today by the ambassa-
dor, becomes a question for discus
sion between the two governmental
1t no longer forms the basis of a pos
sible complaint agains, the activitie.
of an ambassador to the United
States. 1t is the understanding that
tho question will now be submitted
to President Wilson for determine.
ton and whatever action In taker
will he dictated by the President him.
self Whether the incident will lead
TO the recall OF Ambassador Dumb
viii become known in the compare
lively near future.
The conference at the State De-
partment today was held as a re-
suit of an engagement made at the
instance OF DR.. Dumba following the
publication Of the letter taken from
Captain Archibald. the American wa,
correspondent. The amba ssador told
his story at length to Secretary OF
state Lansing. who refused. however
TO make any comment on the call o.
Its possible consequences
More Serious Than Ever.
This statement by the amha ssador
offered In Justification and explanation
OF his letter. was interpreted here a.
placing a much more serious aspec,
on the whole matter. It is no longe,
considered a question of this govern.
ments manifesting It's disapproval OF
the act Of the representative of the
government bu,
rather one OF holding that government,
itself to account for what Is general,
held by officials to be a most disagree.
able scheme of interference with
American industry. 1t is pointed out
that a request for the recall OF the
a m bassador will hardly satisfy the
where the ambassador has
only obeyed the instructions of hi.
government.
Will Go Up To Wilson.
Secretary Lansing did not, In any
way. commit the United States to a
course of action in the
matter, nor did he set forth any view
OF the incident on behalf Of this gov.
eminent. He merely listened today to
the ambassadors statements and de.
clared that he would be glad to la,
the matter before President Wilson
He assured the ambassador that nc
action would be taken by this govern.
ment until the facts and views present
ed by the ambassador had been mos,
considered
1t Is understood the question will
probably come up at the next cabinet