Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-12-13
AUSTRIANS TO BE
GIVEN LIBERTIES
Will Suffer But Few Restric-
tions as Result of Declara-
ton of War.
PRESIDENTS PROCLAMATION
Subjects of Dual Monarchy
Have Displayed Loyalty
to Land Of Adoption.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 12.-Austro-
Hungarian subjects in the United
States. most of the million or moro
of whom are laborers and are loyal
to the allied war cause, will suffer
few restrictions as result OF war
between the lands of their birth and
adoption.
In n proclamation today declaring
a state of war with Austria Hungary
in accordance with the act OF congress,
President Wilson specified that un-
naturalized Austro- -Hungarians, unlike
the Germans In this country should
be free to live and trayel anywhere.
except that they may not enter or
leave the states without permission
and those suspected OF enemy activity
may be interned.
They need not register with police
or post office officials. as Germans
will be required to do shortly. and are
not barred from the one hundred yard
zones about the piers, docks and ware
not required to leave the District OF
Columbia.
Austrians Are Numerous.
The presidents motive in drawing
distinctions between Germans and
Austrians was described as twofold.
At first II was realized that the sym
pathy of Hungarlans, Rumanians,
Poles. Serbians, Slovaks and other i'm
migrants from the Austro- Hungarian
empire generally are not with the
mother country In tho war and they
have not been guilty OF the multiform
campaign OF violence practiced under
the German war system. Secondly,
such a large proportion Of laborerz
In munition and steel plants and coal
mines consists Of Austrian subjects
that 1t was found practically impos-
sihle TO administer against them the
rigid regulations imposed on the Ger
mans who are half as numerous and
more individualistic
The department of Justice even
abandoned Its former plans to register
Austrlans along with Germans be-
cause Of the immensity OF the task
and the Administrations determina-
ton to minimize embarrassment TO
Austrians, thousands Of whom have
demonstrated their loyalty TO this
country by enlisting in the army and
navy.
As an indication Of the presidents
difference in feeling toward subjects
of the dual monarchy, 1t was pointed
out that nowhere In the proclamation
did he use the phrase "alien enemies"
as was done in previous proclamations
referring to Germans. Repeatedly he
referred only to ma tives. citizens,
dtnizens or subjects OF Austria Hun
sary.
Attorney General Gregory explained
the proclamation IN this statement:
Gregory Explains.
THE proclamation issued by the
president today proclaims state of
was existing between this country and
Austria Hungary. calls upon all citi-
Zens to perform their duty. warns
subjects of the enemy to conform to
our laws and enjoins upon American
citizens the duty OF treating subjects
OF the enemy who remain loyal To the
United States with all such friendl-
ness as may bo compatible with
loyalty and allegiance to the United
States
This proclamation differs from the
preceding proclamation relating To the
subjects Of the German empire in that
while II authorizes arrest and intern
ment of any subjects OF the dual en-
pire whose conduct may be menace
to the safety OF the country, the only
restrictions which II contains are pro-
hibitions against either entering or
leaving the United States without first
obtaining permission.