New-York tribune., 1917-11-18
Austrian Guns
Already at Work

Austrian guns have been in action
fer some days, and now it has been
thought worth while TO regularizc
the situation. The Austrian Min
ister has therefore, under instruc-
tions from his government, ad-
dressed the following note to the
Belgian government:
August %. 1914.
Whereas Belgium, having refused TO
accept the proposals made 10 her on
several occasions by Germany. Is al
fording her military assistance TO
France and Great Britain, both OF which
powers have declared war upon Aus
tria- Hungary, and whereas, as has just
been proved (no indication as 10 how
or when it has been proved, Aus
trian and Hungarian subjects in Bel
gium have been obliged TO submit,
under the very eyes Of the Belgian
authorities, TO treatment contrary to
the most primitive demands OF human
ity and inadmissible even toward sub
jects Of an enemy state, therefore
Austria is obliged 70 break of diplo-
matte relations and considers herself
from this moment in a state Of war
with Belgium. | am leaving the coun-
try with the staff Of the legation, and
am intrusting the protection OF Aus
trian interests 10 the United States
Minister in Belgium. The Austro-Hun-
garian government is forwarding ms
passports to Count Errembault de
Dudzeele. CLARY."
The Belgian government sent the
following reply to the Austrian dec
laration of war:
Antwerp, August e9, 1914.
Belgium has always entertained
friendly relations with all her neigh
bors, without distinction. She has
scrupulously fulfilled the duties i'm
posed upon her by her neutrality. II
she has not been able 20 accept Ger
many's proposals, it is because those
proposals contemplated the violation OF
her engagements toward Europe, en-
gagements which form the conditions
OF the Belgian Kingdom. She has been
unable 20 admit that a people, how
ever weak they may be, should fail IN
their duty and sacrifice their honor by
yielding to force. The government
have waited, not only until the ulti-
matum mad expired, but also until Bel
gian territory had been violated by
German troops, before appealing 20
France and Great Britain, guarantors
of her neutrality under the same terms
as are Germany and Hungary.
to cooperate in the name and in virtue
of the treaties in defence Of Belgian
territory.
By repelling the invaders by force Of
arms she has not even committed
hostile act as laid down by the pro-
visions of article 10 of The Hague Con-
vention. respecting the rights and
duties of neutral powers.
Germany has herself recognized that
her attack constitutes a violation OF in
ternatioral law. and, being unable 70
justify il, she has pleaded her strategl-
cal interests.
Belgium formally denies the allega-
ton that Austrian and Hungarian sub
jects have suffered treatment in Bel
gium contrary 10 the most primitive
demands of humanity.
The Belgian government, from the
very beginning OF hosulltles, nave
issued the strictest orders for the pro-
lection of Austro-Hungarian persons
and property. DAElGNON.
This is the first we have heard
Of any mistreatment of Austrians in
this country, but then they probably
had to advance some sort of reason
for going to war.
The charge came around this
afternoon to ask about getting to
Antwerp, whence he wants 70 fee
for protection. He was very indig-
nant because the Military Governor
hadrefused to allow him to go. When
! asked him on what ground the per-
mission had been refused, he said
tnat it had not exactly been refused,