New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Will Do Nothing to Drive
Wilson Into Taking
Radical Action
ALL MOVES IN HANDS
OF u. S., SAY OFFICIALS
But Government Is Deter
mined to Follow Sub
marine Policy

Vienna, Feb. 7.-Government circles
to-day were calmly awaiting new devel-
opments with regard to the submarine
controversy with the United States. A
high official said that all the moves
were in the hands of President Wilson,
that the Austro-Hungarian government
was not seeking complications and
would do nothing which would enable
the President to go before the Ameri-
can people with the claim that he had
been driven to radical action
The governments attitude appears
TO be of calm determination to follow
the policy announced. The desire to con-
tinue on good relations with the United
States is universal on the part of the
press and the public. This mornings
Vienna newspapers again occupy them
selves largely with President Wilson's
action in severing relations with Ger
many.
Proves Wilson PrO-British
Personal attacks on the President are
not INDUCED in, though the claim is
made by many of the newspapers that
President Wilson has finally unmasked
himself and his Cabinet, and that, con-
trary to being an ardent peace promo
ter, he is really silent ally of the En-
tente, and if Great Britain had ulti-
mately faced defeat, would have rushed
into the breach anyway.
hN- oil
eminent official to-day, shortly after
the receipt of the news that diplomatic
relations between Germany and the
United States had been severed, the
following statement was made:
1--WE had hoped that the American
government would take different
view of our situation, especially since
We had waited more than a year be-
fore a decision in the question was
reached, which was entirely a courtesy
on our part toward the United States.
During that time we had entertained
the hope that it would never be neces-
sary TO give the submarine its full
effectiveness. although we long ago
had been convinced of such effective
ness.
Peace Hope Now Abandoned
when President Wilson finally in
terested himself in behalf of peace we
sighed in relief because we hoped the
Entente, after turning down our offer,
would not dare step before the world
with a war programme which from
start 10 finish was nothing but dec
laration that the Entente was continu
ing the war for conquest
Our peace offer was made despite
e., I. Lat LII
military advantage We took this &C
ton because our war was one Of self
defence. The Entente refused TO en-
terrain our offer, leaving US no other
way than the one now adopted.
1--WE hoped that the American pub
lie would see that this action was JUS
tilted, and we still so hope, believing
this because we are sure that the
American people, if they are similarly
cornered, would do the same in self
defence. For this reason we are not
ready to abandon hope that peace be-
tween the United States and Austria
Hungary will be maintained.
Will Debase White Race
Having borne the sacrifices Of
treasure and blood in this war of
thirty months and having tasted every
horror of modern warfare, we should
all the more regret difficulties with
the United States, which is regarded
as a nation which, when peace comes,
would give assistance to Europe's
stricken people to rehabiitate them
selves not only materially but morally.
"War with the United States, for
this reason, would be calamity for
all mankind because such war would
place upon the American people the
same burden under which Europe
groans to-day, which ultimately may
mean the debasement of the entire
white race if carried TO the excess to
which participation by the United
States would undoubtedly lead.
Even the Entente cannot entertain
the hope that the war will lead TO the
total extinction of our races, and tho
day will come when the United States,
although it may not need the assist
ance of third party, may wish TO
have that impartial attitude and just
consideration Of a meritorious case
which we now seek in Washington"