Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-10
AUSTRIAN CHARGE
At WASHINGTON
ASKS PASSPORTS
Dual Empire Formally Breaks
Off Diplomatic Rala-
tions With United
States.
SPAIN WILL ACT FOR U. S.
American Diplomats and Con-
suls Caring for Two Million
Austrian Prisoners.
SWEDEN ACTS FOR AUSTRIA
SPAIN WILL ACT FOR U. S.
SWEDEN ACTS FOR AUSTRIA

wv A~A& SAS ~ Wv xAO6 3h4A
Washington, April 9.-Austria-
Hungary, under the pressure of Ger
many has severed diplomatic reIa-
tions with the United States.
Baron Erick Z&eidinek, charge
d affairs Of the Austro-Hungarian
embassy here, called at the State de-
partment today and asked for pass
ports for himself and the embassy
staff.
Almost at the same time dis
patch was received from American
Minister Stovall at Berne saying the
dual monarchy had broken off diplo-
matte relations with the United States
in Vienna yesterday. 1t is presumed
this was done by handing passports to
American Charge Grew. American
Ambassador Penfeld, who had left
Vienna on Saturday, probably did
not know of the governments action.
By pre-arrangement Spain will take
over the diplomatic and consular in
terests of the United States in Aus
tria-Hungary. All Austrian consular
agents will depart from the United
States with the diplomatic mission as
was the case with Germany.
Up to the time Charge Zweidinek
asked for his passports no similar
action had been taken by Bulgaria
and Turkey-Gtrmany's two~ other
allies-and their representatives here
distlaimed having any knowledge of
the intention Of their governments,
II is expected here they will follow
by breaking diplomatic relations.
Probably Will Declare War.
Austria's break with the United
States undoubtedly is the prelude 10
a declaration Of a state of war. Sixty
two days elapsed between the break
in relations between the United States
and Germany and the formal declara-
ton of state of war.
1t is. quite possible, however, that
there may, not be war-like operations
between the forces of the two govern
inents unless Germany's carrying fur
ther its domination OF the Vienna
government should force 1t.
Charge Grew at Vienna also wifi
turn over to Spain British and Japan
csc interests, which this country has
looked after since the beginning of
the war. Italian. French and Ron
ir,anian, interests III Austria Hungary,
previously looked after BY the United
States, were ordered turned over to
the Swiss minister.
American ambassadors, ministers
and consular officials in France, Great
Britain, Russia, Serbia, Japan, Greece,
Morocco and Egypt will stand ready
to turn over Austrian interests, which
the United States has represented in
those countries since the beginning OF
the war. to whatever nation the, Ats
trian foreign Office shall indicate.
The United States, by the break III
relations, is released OF the care OF
probably 100000 war prisoners. In
Russia alone 1t is estimated that u
100000 Austrian prisoners were under
American protection, with consid-
erablenumber in France also. In Aus
tria the United States has cared for
all the Italian and Roumanian pris-
oners. Other small groups are thought
to bring the total well up to 100000.
Few Americans in Austria.
/ About 200 native Americans are
thought to be in Austria and Hun.
gary, with perhaps another 1900 nat
rralized Austria americans, most soi
whom may prefer to stay in their
country of birth. Officials here expect
nc difficulties to be placed before
Americans In Austria and that all the
American embassy officials will Sc
permitted to leave without restraint
or Inconvenience.
There are about fifty consular Off
GERS in addition toNtheir regular en-
bassy staff, not including clerks, at
taches and families. Safe conduct
for all will be, arranged at once.
Austria Hungary has asked Sweden
TO take over her intdsests in the
United States.
Penfold at Zurich.
The safe arrival of Ambassador and
Mrs. Penfold at Zurich, Switzerland,
with three members of the embassy
staff, was reported today to the de-
partment. The last direct dispatch
from Vienna was received yesterday
and said that up to that time Austria
had not taken action. Joseph c.
Grew, formerly secretary at Berlin,
is acting as charge in Vienna, aided
by four assistant secretaries.
Austria's action is attributed entire
ly to German influence, as officials
have received every indication that
the dual monarchy did not wish a
break. When the United States sew
cred relations with Germany, Austria
then expressed gratitude that the
United States literally interpreted her
formal endorsement of the German
policy as largely academic because Of
her not operating near American
shipping.