New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-07

cgnized. are entitled to make the nigh
seas the scene Of military operations
and TO oppose any interference WIN
their enterprises and TO decide ior
themselves what measures shoulo NC
taken against enemy sea trafhc
in such cases neutrals have no other
legitimate interest and therefore no
other legal claim, than that the belllgef-
on, inform them in time Of prohibitions
directed to the enemy, that they can
avoid intlusting their lives ana Vhe''
goods TO enemy vessels.
The Austro-Hungarian government
can suppose that the Washington CAB
net will agree with these explanations
which. according to the Austro- Hunga-
rian governments firm conviction. are
unassailable: as otherwise, disputlng
their correctness would doubtless De
tantamount to saying which certain!
does not correspond to the opinion of
the United States that neutrals must
be free 10 interfere with military oper-
atoms of belligerents or even dlreetly
assume the office Of judging as 10 inc
war means which are 70 be employer
against enemies.
DEGREES Were Warnings
"Tbe Austro-Hungarian government
can. therefore. state, wnat at'ivuuu
soever he Washington Cabinet may
take in regard TO individual questions
raised here. that il. as especially re-
cards protection Of neutrals against
endangerinp their lives, is essentially
in accord with the American govern
ment. But il was not only satished 10
put into effect in the course OF TINS war
the conception represented by her' ouV
bevond that il also accommodated Us
attitude with painful care 10 the thesis
set up bv the Washington Cabinet, ana
would feel inclined TO support IT IN MS
endeavor 10 secure American cltlzehs
against dangers at sea, which endeaVof
il supports by the warmest philan-
thropy and by instructlng and warning
those intrusted with It,
The note then proceeds at length
over the familiar ground of the rlgnt
of armed merchant vessels, declaring
that il can give them no SPECIFIC warn
ing. II finally reverts TO the declara-
tions of unrestricted warfare, declaring
that they represent "in esseEce nothing
else but a warning" and adds:
Moreover. Austro-Hungarian war
ships are instructed if possible to warn
merchantmen encountered IN these
areas and 10 bring into safety the
crews and passengers.
Last Stages of War
Summarizing, the AustroH Hungarian
government can state that the assur-
ance given to the Washington Cabinet
in the Ancona case, and which has been
renewed in the Persia case, has neither
been abolished nor restricted by It's
declarations of February 10, 1916, and
January 81, 1917. Within this assur--
ance it will also in the future. united
with its allies, do everything so that
the peoples on earth will soon again
participate in the blessings of peace.
"If, in the prosecution OF this aim,
which. as is well known. finds full sym
patty in the Washington Cabinet, u
sees itself obliged to prevent neutral
sea traffic in certain sea areas, IN
justification of this measure 1t VIII
point not so much at the attitude Of
the enemy, which it considers not at
all worthy of in tation, but it will point
out that Austria Hungary, by reason OF
the obstinacy and mslignity of her
enemies. who intend her destruction,
has been placed in a state of self-de-
fierce than which history knows no
more typical example.
AS the Austro-Hungarian govern
ment finds inspiration in the conscious
ness that the fight which Austria Hun
gary is waging serves not only for
maintenance of its vital interests, but
also for realization of the equal rights
of all states, it lays the greatest stress
in this last and most severe period OF
the war which, as it deeply deplores,
demands sacrifices also from friends,
on the confirmation by word and deed
that the principle of humanity guides
il: in the same manner as the law Of
respect Of the interests of neutral peo-
pie"