The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-07-20

Exports Of War Material, In View
Of the Fact That only One Of the
Bel'igerent Parties Can Take Ad
vantage of This Export-Food EN-.
barge Suggested.
Viennal, July 17.-Following is tho
full official text of the protest by the
dual empire of Austria-H Hungary to the
United States government against the
continued shipment of American war
munitions to the allies:
Special attention to the Austro-
Hungarian government has from the
beginning been drawn to the marked
consequences of the fact that for a
considerable time in the past there
has been, between the United States
and England and her allies, a contin-
ued traffic in war material, carried on
on large scale, while both Austria
Hungary and Germany have been
completely excluded from the Amsri.
can markets
Although the Austro-Hungarian gov.
ernment is perfectly convinced that
the attitude observed by the Ameri.
can government in this connection las
been inspired solely by desire to
maintain the strlctest neutrality anc
to keep within the regulations ett
forth by existing international
treaties, the question arises whether
the situation which has arisen out Of
the war, doubtless without any inten
tion on the part of the American gov
ernment, is not Of such nature that
the real intentions of the Washington
cabinet have been, as matter of fact,
frustrated and even reversed.
"If this question is answered in the
affirmative, and in the view Of the
Austro-Hungarian government 1t must
undoubtedly so be answered, another
question arises directly from it, viz,
whether 1t is not possible and indeed
necessary that measures be taken to
ensure that desire Of the American
government to observe strict impair
tiality toward all belligerent parties
shall be satisfied.
"The Austro-Hungarian government
without hesitation and without reser-
vation answers this question also In
the affirmative.
"All authorities on the subject Of
international law maintain that neu-
trail government is not permitted to III.
of war If such traffic Is Of such kind
or reaches such proportions as to com
promise the neutrality of the govern
ment in question.
"On Whatever basis of scientific
criteria the supposed legitimacy of
nevertheless, be concluded that export
Of war material from the United
States, such as is taking place during
the present war; Is not in conformity
with the practice OF strict neutrality.
Austrias Suggestion.
ut follows equally tnat there is no
reason whatever why the right can
be denied to the American govern
ment to put an end to this fragrant
and formidable export of war material
by the prohibition Of such exports,
more particularly in view Of the fact
that 1t is well known that only one OF
the belligerent parties can take advan-
tage of this export. The American
government can In no way be blamed
IL 1t eXerts this admitted right and de-
cides to pass a special act with view
to maintaining its position in conform.
ity with the claims of international
law. AS regards. the possible objec-
tion that, Notwithstanding the willing
ness of American traders to furnish
supplies to Austria-Hungary, as well
as to England and her allies, the Unit
ed States, owing to the conditions Of
war obtaining, are not able to carry
on trade with Austria.iIungary and
Germany, II may be pointed out that
the government of the United States
is undoubtedly well able to deal with
this objection
at would, for instance, be quite suf-
flcient for the purpose to notify the
enemies of tria-Hungary and Ger.
many that the supply of food and war
materials will be stopped ii legal traf
tic in |hose articles between America
and the central powers of Europe is
not permitted The American govern
ment, II disposed to act in this sense.
would not only be following the trali-
tions of protection of the lawful trade
by sea, which always has been re-
spected in America. but would at the
same time reap great moral reward
ny restraining the criminal efforts of
the enemies of Austria-Hungary and
Germany to utilize hunger as their
ally
"Austria.IIungary therefore, taking
Into consideration the excellent rela-
tions which have always existed be-
tween America and the Austro'Hun-
garian monarchy, makes this entirely
friendly appeal 10 the government Of
the United States asking the govern
ment to reconsider, in the light of ey-
plantations set forth the attitude IT
has observed in regard to this most
important natter"