The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-16
Will File Answer Shortly to the Austrian Protest Against Such Shipments to the Allies
SHIPMENTS ARE NOT IN VIOLATION OF ANY
 INTERNATIONAL LAW
Turkey May Join Austria in Urging This Country to Maintain a Spirit of Neutrality"

Washington, July 15.-The Uni-
 ted States probably will. send with in another fortnight reply to the
 Austro-Hungarian note, contend
 ing that extensive shipments of
 war supplies from this country to
 the allies are ssnot In consonance
 with the definition of neutrality"
 Unofficially word came today that Fur key would follow Germany and Austria in making representations. and should a note from Turkey arrive, officials would delay sending their answer so as to inform the Germanic allies simultaneously of the unalterable view of the United States on arms shipments.
 Germany Has Protested
 Germany repeatedly has laid emphasis on the trade in arms between the United States and the allies. In a note replying to representations from the American government on the newly proclaimed war zone, the legal right of citizens of the United Stats to trade in arms was con- ceded, but 1t was argued that it was equally right of neutrals ito stop trade in contraband, especially the trade in arms, with Germany's enemies" because of vio- Nations of other neutral rights by Great Britain. A memorandum from Count Bernstorff, the German ambassador, dated April {, was devoted entirely to the dis cussion of the alleged federation by the United States of infractions of interna- tional law by Great Britain and pointed but that it was necessary in connection with shipments of arms to take into con sideration '.not-aonly the formal aspect of the case but also the spirit in which the neutrality is carried out
 The Austrian Note
 The Austrian note. extracts of which have appeared in dispatches from Am- sterdam points out that the American government would be entitled to prohibit the export of war material if the trade in contraband takes the form of dimen- sions whereby the neutrality of the coun- try will be endangered.'
 Details of the American answer have not been divulged, but it is understood the United States not only will cite it's rights under international law but will recall precedents in previous wars in which Germany and Austria have been interested where importations of arms were carried on in extensive proportions. The state department has not made pub- lie the text of the Austrian note and will not do so until the reply is ready.
 Berlin Halls Note
 Berlin. July 16.-(via London. 3:14 a. m) The Austrian note to the United States has been unanimously greeted with en- thusiasn by the Berlin press, which says Kit is evidence of the loyalty of a true ally The opinion of the newspapers is general that the note sweeps away side issues, such as the submarine war and the sinking of the Lusitania and goes straight at the heart of the problem the huge export of war supplies to the enemies of Austria and Germany
 The United States. which sees and has seen in the territories of the Danube monarchy, a profitable field for American enterprise, according to the newspapers, will realize that Austria Hungary feels as much as Germany 'the injustice of the American munitions shipments and will remember this attitude if 1t is not changed in her future business relations"
 The course of reasoning in the note of Count Stephan Won Burian, the Austro- Hungarian foreign minister is regarded by the newspaper as unanswerable logic. Several newspapers express the hope that President Wilson-with Secretary Bryan. author of the doctrine of the unneutral- ity of forbidding the export of arms dur ing the war. out of the cabnet-will see his way clear to lay before Congress the legislation suggested by the Austro-Hun garian government.
 sPresident Wilson, says the Lokal An
 (Continued on Page seven.)