Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-10
BREAK BY BERLIN'S
ALLY MEANS ANOTHER
ENEMY FOR AMERICA
AJStria-Hungay Sewers Dip
IOmatiC Relations With Uni
ted States and Each Calls
Diplomatic Representatives

WASHINGTON. April s.-Austria-
many. has severed diplomatic relations
with the United States. and war-bound
Austrian ships in American ports have
been seized.
Baron Erick Zwiedinek. charge daft
fairies Of the Austro-Hungarian embas-
say here. called at the state department
today and asked for passports for him
self and the embassy stan.
Almost at the same time a dispatch
was received from American Minister
Stovall at BeTne saying the dual mon
srchy had broken of diplomatic rela-
tions with the United States in Vienna
yesterday. II is presumed this was
done by handing passports 10 American
charge Grew American Ambassador
Penfield. who had left Vienna on Satur-
day. probably did not know of the gov
srnment's action
BY pre-arrangement Spain will take
over the diplomatic and consular inter
ests OF the United States in Austria
Hungary All Austrian consular agents
will depart from the United States with
the diplomatic mission, as was the case
with Germany
Up 10 the time Charge Zwiedinek
asked for his passports no Similar &C
tion had been taken by Bulgaria and
Turkey-German two other allies
and their representatives here disclaim-
ed having any knowledge of the inten-
ton OF their governments. II is eX-
pected they will follow by breaking
diplomatic relations.
PRELUDE To WAR
Austria's break with the Cnited states
undoubtedly is the prelude to ieclar-
alton Of state OF war. Sixty-two days
slauScd between the break in relations
hal I'll a.
any and the formal declaration of state
OF war. How many days Will elapse De-
fore Cermany's chief ally enters state
OF war with Germany's newest enemy
S4Il be decidsd entirely by circuHI-
stances. The diplomatic history of civ
i!izatiOn and the presidents of centu-
ries show a state Of war invariably
follows = break in diplomatic relations
between first-class poweTs-
Quite aside from this however, Austria
has subscribed even If only ACCIDENTALLY
20 Germauy's campaign OF ruthlessness.
although she has not carried il out
against American interests Besides that
70 IS considered that il would be quite
impossible TO have abroad in the United
States on a friendly status the diplomat
ic and consular agents OF Germany's
ally.
Anti-American propaganda conducted
BY Austrian agents. under German direc-
ton. has been no less offensive and
scarcely less effective than the German
proqag ands itself \ clean break be-
tween the United States and Austria
was some time ago recognized as the
logical development.
IL is quite possible. however, that
there may not he wsr-like operations be-
tween the forces of the two govern
ments. unless Germany carrying further
her domination of the Vienna govern
ment. should force it.
charge Grew. at Vienna. also will turn
over to Spain. British and japanese in
terssts. Italian. French and Rumanian
interests in Austria-Hungary. previously
looked after by the United States. were
ordered turned over to the Swiss min
fster
RELIEVED Or WAR PRISONERS.
American ambassadors. ministers ami
consular officials in France. Great
Britain. Russia, Serbia, Japan. Greece. /
Morocco and Egypt will stand ready 20 i
turn over Austrian interests which the
United States has represented in those
countries to whatever nation the Aus
trian foreign office shall indicate
The United States by the break IN re-
IaUions Is relieved Of the care Of prob
ably 100000 war prisoners.
About 200 native Americans arel
thought TO be in Austria and Hungary.
Officials expect no difficulties TO Be
placed before Americans in Austria and
that all the American embassy officials =,
will be permitted 10 leave without re-
straint or inconvenience, owing to the
decidedly friendly feeling that Austria /
has shown. despite German pressure.
Austria has in this country about fifty
consular officers in addition to her reg
uIar embassy staff. not including clerks, |
attaches and families. Safe conduct for
all will be arranged at once. and IL IS
possible that the Austrizns dismissed AT
This time may join the German officials
dismissed ffom China and CuDa. In or
der 70 journey BY the same route
Officials here. deeply regretting the
necessity which has driven Austria to-
the step she has taken, are nevertheless
Eratified AT the way II has come about.
and that the United States was not re-
spOnsible for u.
II f. understood that while many OF
the Austrians will return home. prob
ably on a Dutch ship. some may be sent
70 points in South and Central America.
One or two probably will be sent to
Mexico immediately
Minister Ekengren. OF Sweden. who
probably will take over the affairs of
tire embassy. denied himself TO callers
fter the Austrian charge demanded his
passports but later conferred with the
charge and arranged for the transfer OF
interests and the state department an
UoUnced sweden would take over Aus
trian interests.
The AustrO-HUngarian government
maintains twenty-three consulates in the
United States and its insuIar posses
sions all OF which will be closed. Among
other places. the consulates are located
~ Pensacola. Savannah. New Orleans.
Galveston and Richmond
Tu,n hnr4rin, Ohinn L.