The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-10-30
MAY FORCE US TO
WAR ON AUSTRIA
Italy's Need of Direct Aid
Likely to Bring Declara-
ton from Congress
PLEAS OF COUNTRY
ARE NOW RECALLED
Gave Warming of Her Need of Supplies
Military Men Foresee Further Loss
of Ground-President Wilson Expect
ed to Take Action.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 30.-The great
German victory over the Italian armies
has brought the United States government
To realization of the dangers to the en-
tire allied cause involved in the German
and Austrian advance into Italy Little
else was talked OF in Washington today.
But inquiry failed to reveal that this gov
eminent is giving consideration to the mat
ter of joining Italy in war against Aus
tria in order that it may be in a position
to do its share toward bringing an end
to the Teutonc autocraey,
There was time not far in the past
cussed the attitude this government should
display toward Austria as an enemy OF
the countries that were joined with Amer
lea in the common effort to make the
world safe for democracy Diplomatic re-
Iations between the United States and
Austria-Hungary have been broken, but
the two governments are not at war, and
nothing definite has occurred to change
the situation that prevailed at the time
when President Wilson felt that 1t was
incumbent, in order To maintain the ma
tiona dignity, to sever intercourse with
the dual monarchy This government
realizes that Austria is its enemy, but for
it's own purposes not entirely explained,
has rciraincd from taking the step that
viii put the United States and Austria
on terms Of actual hostilities
\ serious clash occurred between the
Washington and Vienna governments over
the sinking of the steamship Ancona with
ont warning, presumably by an Austrian
submarine. The Vienna government, when
called on for an explanation, made suit
! able expression of regret and gave the
pledge, which Germany gave and dehber
ately broke, that merchant vessels would
not he sunk without warning on without
giving those on board chance to escape
Y to places ot safety. Since then. accord
\ ing to what was said in official circles to-
day, there has been no direct evidence that
4 Austrian submarines had sunk merchant
vessels in violation Of the rules OF civilized
warfare. The government was convinced
that the Ancona was torpedoed by Ger
man and not by an Austrian submarine
but Germany. in order to prevent tn,
chance OF war with the United States a
that time over the Ancona incident, in
duced or compelled Austria to ADM, tina
she was responsible Tor the violation.
But wider and more momentous con
sideTations now confront the government
with reference to Austria. Germany, tn
common enemy of the United States an,
Italy, is doing the work that has brough
about the Italian defeat This victor
is a blow affecting the United States a
[, ono of tho nations angappd IN SppLiuu Z
prevent Germany from ruling the world
That the situation will be considered il
/, that light is not doubted here, althoug
there is no evidence that the matter ha
( been taken up by the President and hi
: advisers.
The opinion prevails that decisions wi
I. be held in allegiance until just befor
congress meets in December, az it wi