Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-12-07
Ausfria'S War Against Us.

From the day declared against Ger
many our peace with Austria-Hungary became
merely a polite fiction. AS part and parcel of the
German military machine the Dual-Monarchy could
not be otherwise than hostile to us, even though no
actual clash of Austrian and American forces ever
occurred. Austrian resources are helping to main
tain the despotic and barbarous system against
which are battling for democracy and civiliza-
ton. Austrian troops are fighting the soldiers of
our allies whose fortunes good i'll, vitality con-
Germ our own. Austrian U-boats are under the
blas% flag of Prussian piracy, as they have been
for two years more, seeking chance to destroy
ships and STAY our people. Austrian spies and
agents are abroad in the United States, doing Ger
many's vicious work with torch and bomb and all
manner of conspiracies. We cannot grapple efec-
tualIy with any of these dangers long as we are
encountered with make-believe peace. We cannot
press the war with due vigor success against
Germany as long as our hands tied against
her chief ally.
The spy problem alone would furnish reason
enough for declaration of war against Austria
What good will it do require enemy aliens to reg
lister, keep away from docks and railroad termi-
mails and storehOuses, to obtain permits for travel
ing and to other rules designed for the pro-
lection of our property and military interests
what good will it do to make these require
ments of German aliens or to intern them while
to continue the Kaisers propaganda of sedtion and
destruction. From the earlier stages of the war
the Austrian menace to American interests was APP
parent. DR.. Dumba, Austrian ambassador at
Washington used the great privileges of his office
to insigate conspiraces and acts of outright vio-
Ience against American industries. The Austrian
consular service was freely in the employ of Won
Papen and Boy-Ed and other notorious German in
triguers Since we entered the war, Austrian agents
IN tho fort To-
country's sentiment and impede 3our military
preparations The burning of foodstufs and other
basic supplies the un-American agitation against
the Selecive Service law and other essential war
measures, the starting of falseFumors of disaster
to American troops and the spreading of divers
sorts of propaganda intended to mislead or de-
press the popular mind in all these hostile and
oftentimes criminal schemes subjects of Austria
Hungary have worked under German direction,
with all the unscrupulousness of German allies.
As a matter of self-proteetion, therefore, the
United States must declare against the Austro-
Hungarian monarchy so that the law regarding en-
envy aliens may be applied effectively to these foes
in our midst. There in the United States as
Washington dispatches point out, many subjects
of Austria-Hungary notably Bohemians, Czechs
and persons of other races oppressed by that
monarchy, who have manifested true devotion to
our Government as opposed to the one to which
nOmlnally they are DOunQ. 10 all SuCH, Oh course,
proper consideration will be shown; and enemy
alien who observes the reasonable wartime rules
prescribed will have cause for protest.
As a matter of strict logic, the same broad
premises which underlie the forthcoming declara-
ton of war against Austria-Hungary call for like
action against Bulgaria and Turkey, Germany's
other allies But the President, who certainly is in
the best position to judge such matters, considers
it as yet unnecessary if not really inadvisable to
take that step; and the country is willing, we be-
lieve to leave the question to his determination.
That there will be holding back on his part
whenever the situation demands action is shown
plainly enough in his assertion 1--WE shall go wher-
ever the necessities of this war carry US" The
necessities" have carried Enthusiastically into
conflict with Austria Hungary; wherefore it is i'm
perative that a declaration Of war against that
monarchy be made and that American resources be
applied unsparingly to its defeat.