The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1917-04-28
|v|ENNANOTE DEFIANT
AUSTRIA. IN REPLY TO THE U. S.,
BACKS GERMANY IN U.
BOAT WAR.
ALL ARMED SHIPS PIRATES
Assurances In the Aneona Case Will
Be Kept, but With Certain Reserva-
sions-vessels In Barred Zones Held
Responsible for Losses They Suffer.

London, March S.-The American
ambassador at Vienna has been hand.
ed the reply of the Austrian govern
ment to the American note inqulring
as to the position Of the Austrian gov
eminent in regard TO unrestricted sub
marine warfare. according TO Vienna
uispatch received on Tuesday.
The reply declares that neutrals are
responsible for losses they suffer by
entering territory where warlike Op-
erations are taking place.
The reply of Austria states that
promises made in previous notes con
corning the warning to neutral vessels
do not apply 10 armed merchant ships,
which may be considered as pirates
aud sunk accordingly.
The reply says that whatever atti-
tude the Washington cabinet may take
as to individual questions raised here"
the Austro-Hungarian government is
essentially In accord with the Ameri-
can government in regard 10 the pro-
lection Of neutrals against endanger-
Ing their lives" She memorandum
then maintains that neutral subjects
have to bear themselves all losses they
suffer by entering territory where war
like operation are taking place"
After a lengthy discussion of The
British blockade, which 1t declares is
illegal, the memorandum continues ::
The principle that neutrals should en-
joy In wartime the advantages of the
freedom of the seas refers only 10 neu-
trail vessels and not TO neutral persons
aboard enemy vessels"
The reply further contends that bel
ligerents are entitled to decide for
themselves what measures should he
taken against an enemy In sea traffic,
and concludes:
I'm such cases neutrals have no 9th
er legitimate interests, and therefore
no other legal claim than that bel
ligerent inform them In time of a pro
hibition directed to an enemy so that
they can avoid intrusting their lives
and their goods to enemy vessels
The Austrian memorandum referring
w thV ho'c vi lhc hheoia vase soy >
that it strictly adheres to the assur-
ance already given"
At the same time Austria calls al
tention to the fact that at the time Of
the Ancona incident it stated that 1t
reserved the right to bring up later
for discussion difficult international
questions which arise In connection
whit submarine warfare" The memo
randum then adds:
IF the Austro-Hungarlan govern
ment now refers to this reservation
and briefly discusses the question Of
the sinking of the enemy vessels TO
which that note refers ii is guided by
desire to show the American govern
ment that now, as heretofore, it strict
ly adheres TO the assurance already
given and endeavOrs, by clearing mp
that important question because II
touches the laws Of humanity, TO avoid
Misunderstanding between the mon.
archy and the American union"
The reply of the Austrian govern
ment to the second American note IN
regard to the sinking of the Ancona
contained the following paragraph:
1.-The Hungarian government
can positively concur in the principle
that enemy private vessels, SO far as
| they, do not fire or offer resistance
shall not be destroyed before the per
sons aboard are secured"