The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-03-08
AUSTRIA'S REPLY.

AUD MA =
We can understand the Austrian gov
eminent when it defends illegal U-boat
war because it will fulfill the paramount
duty to their people" All we have to do is
acknowledge that Austrians, Turks and
Germans are superior to and more impor-
tant than Americans, and our fierce heart
burnings will be quenched. We can under
stand the reasoning that justifes reprisa1
on neutrals because of certain wicked
things the allies are said to have done
all we have to do is to get off the sea-not
the earth-not yet, at any rate But read
ing further when we are told calmly that
the purpose of U-mania is to restore the
freedom of the seas, we are simply SIN
pefed.N
It may restore the freedom of the seas
under Prussic conditions-in the sense
that the galley slave enjoyed freedom of
the seas. But it is small comfort for man
to be kicked and beaten and shot in order
that he may qualify for the freedom of the
jail. But is this the reason?
Everything, says the German chancellor,
is subordinated to victory; upon U-boat
war we stake our all Nothing whatever
about neutral rights, American rights, to
be won. If Germany had thought herself
waging a Samaritan war for the world
Germany would have said so in the famous
note asking the United States to try to get
the Prussic point of view. :. If Germany
had, like David, taken arms to destroy a
maritime tyranny, Teutonic kultur would
not have kept the light hidden under a
bushel this long. Had Germany been inn
bued with such self-sacrihcing motives,
she would have explained the destruction
of cathedrals and works of art as a step to
ultimate freedom in reconstruction; she
would have excused the attack on unforti-
fed places as necessary, if disagreeab1e,
process in boosting the building trade
she would have justified the killing OF
women as allowing men freedom to seek
new wives.
Austria's note would sound less disin-
genuous if Germany's monstrous plot on
this continent had not been discovered
showing how real was the foundation to
the rumors of world dominion nor do Tim
mermans acknowledgment that America
was to be invaded to save Germany, and
AuStria's declaration that American prop
erty and lives are to be destroyed to save
America, harmonic very we'll. One is
sharp and one is fat.
But though Austria supports her ally, il
is easy to see that she does so only Off
cially. Not only is Austria sincerely de-
sirous of avoiding break with the United
States, but in the dual monarchy there is
strong undertow of feeling against unre-
stricted Uwar. Sentiment seems to be es-
Pecially strong in Hungary, utterances BY
whose public men and influential pres:
have already been quoted in this column
By its friendly, if illogical, tone, thu
Austrian note has at least delayed break
To U-boat, or not to U-boat, need becom,
nothing more formidable than a literar,
dispute between the two governments. a.
Austrian submarines are operating solely
in the Adriatic and Mediterranean, wher,
the chances of American interests becom
ing involved are very remote Press dis
patches say Germany is endeavoring t,
force Austria to break with the United
States, but this may be safely discounted
as the advantage of maintaining indirec
relations through its ally with this coun
try are too obvious to be lightly thrown
aside. Especially if our operations agains
Germany are restricted to the sea, Their,
will be little chance of Austria and Americ
clashing and with the precedent alread,
set of Germany's long delay in declarin