Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-07
CASE Of DIR. DUMBA
HAS NO PRECEDENT
Not Believed Austria-Hungary
Ambassador Will Be Given
Passports.
COMES TO CITY TO CONFER
WITH SECRETARY LANSING
Explanation to Be Made of Appar-
ent Attempt to bisorganize Ameri-
can Munitions Factories.

ba, Austro-Hungarian ambassa-
dor to the United States, is ex-
pected to call upon Secretary
Lansing at the State Department
between a and S o'clock this after
noon and explain the apparent
Austrian efforts to disorganize
factories and steel plants in this
country now turning out muni-
tons of war for the allies.
1t is taken for granted in off
cial circles here that the ambassa-
dor will plead the right to make
declarations to the nationals of his
own country, and that he will de-
clare, also, he has been attempt
ing to influence only the citizens
of his own country now at work
at steel plants and other factories
here.
Secretary Lansing would not
talk on the subject today, when
asked about it, and the only in
formation available at the Aus
trian embassy here was that DR..
Dumba is expected to arrive here
soon after 3 o'clock this after
noon.
There is considerable discussion in
official Washington over the Dumba
incident, the main question being
whether or not the ambassador will be
given his passports. In general, the
preponderance of. opinion among men
qualified to Judge is that this extreme
measure will not be reached
Few Unqualified Predictions.
However. there is SO much yet to be
ascertained by the State Department
and the White House that only strong
German sympathizers today made the
unqualified prediction that no action
would be taken by this government.
These were strengthened in their belief
by the remark made by Secretary Lans-
ing when asked whether he would talk
for publication after seeing DR.. Dumba
late this afternoon. Secretary Lansing
replied to this that he believed 1t would
be useless to attempt to interview him
for publication, as he did not believe
he would have anything to say.
No hint came from the White House
as to the attitude Of the President in
the case. A cabinet officer who talked
to the President on the subject a few
1 k~
have given grounds for belief that
there would be nothing done in the
way of handing passports to the am
bassador unless the country at large
rises up and demands it.
There has been some uneasiness in
certain quarters. too, because of the
fear that the papers carried by ]. F. j.
Archibald. the American correspondent
acting as secret agent between DR..
Dumba and the Austrian government,
may have contained references to Pres
ident Wilson or the administration.
which might not be tolerated for a
moment.
Students of the situation who have
day to day declared that they were
much relieved today, as 1t is evident
to them that the papers contained no
such reference.
Question Of Dual Citizenship.
Assuming tndt the am nDdSSdOOF Will
uphold his right to utter to his country
men here the sentiments which would
naturally crowd to his lips as he sees
thousands of them at work in bullet
factories. gun shops, shipyards and mu-
milton plants supplying rrainloads of
eath-dealing material for use against
the Austro-German armies. the case
will again bring up the old question of
dual citizenship.
Several European governments have
always assumed jurisdiction over their
nationals in the United States, to great
er or less extent. The subject was Wig
orously agitated in magazine article
several weeks ago by Col. Roosevelt.
The United States has been unable to
obtain modification of this attitude,
and it Is pointed out in quarters hostile
to DR.. Dumba that If the State Depart
! ment yields in the present instance 1t
will suggest that this government is
unwilling to protect aliens who have
come to this country.
1t is believed that Ambassador Dumba
will anticipate the receipt OF dispatches
copies of the letters found in the pos
session of Mr.. Archibald, and pending
a study of these documents all pre-
dictions are but speculation. Many Of
denied in American diplomacy. with no
guide posts to point the way. Unless
the existence Of a conspiracy can be
shown 1t Is said to be doubtful whether
any statutory violation is involved in
the notice to aliens dwelling in the
United States of what their ambassador
regards as a lawful obligation to their
native country.
No Evidence Of Overt Act.
So far there has been no evidence of
an overt act nor Of the cooperation of
any person with the ambassador with
the purpose of committing such an act
as ia required to establish a conspiracy.
Aside from the many finely woven
threads of international law and prec-
edent which may have to be untangled
there is always to be considered in
matters of this kind the element of
nronriety and good taste.
n there is enough offense against
diplomatic ethics in any situation. ~
Ia always punishable by handing the
a mba ssador his passports. No one is
| in a position to speak of this state of
the case until after the interview he
tween the Austrian ambassador ami
the Secretary of State this afternoon
Oficials believe that DR. Dumba's die.
nifed statement asserting his right fo
take the action he did. instead Of dis
claiming the action. is much in his
| favor.
| condemns the employing of American
| with state Department passports as
| .on,.< Dn,$a in tha EuroDa,.- ~