Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-04-12
ENVOY At WASHINGTON ASKS
FOR PASSPORTS FOR STAFF
~. S. AMBASSADOR NOW
OUT OF AUSTRIA
GERMAN PRESSURE IS
BLAMED FOR DECISION
Breach Believed Prelude to Deciara.
ton Of State Of War-Communi-
cation With Sofia and Con-
stantinopie Cut-6uiaars
and Turks to Act.

Washington, April 10-Austria-H Hun
gary, under pressure of Germany, has
severed diplomatic relations with the
United States.
Baron Erick Zweidinek, charge d.
affaires Of the Austro Hungarian EN-.
bassy here, has called at the state de-
partment and asked for passports for
himself and the embassy staff.
Word From Switzerland.
Almost at the same time dispatch
was received from American Minister
P. A. Stovall at Berne. Switzerland.
saying the dual monarchy had broken
off diplomatic relations with the Unit.
ed States in Vienna.
1t is presumed this was done by
handing passports to American Charge
J. G. Grew.
Spain Takes Over Interest.
American Ambassador F. c. Pen
field. who had left Vienna on Satur-
day, probably did not know OF the gov.
ernment's action.
BY prearrangement. Spain will take
over the diplomatic and consular inter
csts 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.
Austria Hungary has asked Sweden
to take over it's interest In the United
States.
Expect euIgars and Turks to Act.
Up to the time Charge Swiedinek
asked for his passports no similar &C.
ton had been taken by Bulgaria and
Turkey-Germany's two other allies
and their representatives here dis.
claimed having any knowledge of the
intention of their governments. 1t is
expected here they will follow by
breaking diplomatic relations.
Austria's break with the United
States undoubtedly Is the prelude to 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 a state of war,
War Believed Certain.
How many days will elapse before
Germany's chief ally enters a state of
war with Germany's newest enemy
will be decided entirely by circum.
stances. The diplomatic history of
civilization and the presidents of cen.
turtles show Il state Of war invariably
follows a breach in diplomatic rela-
lions between first class powers.
Quite aside from this. Austria has
subscribed. even II only accidentally.
to Germany's campaign of ruthless
ness. although 1t has not carried 1t out
against American interests.
Besides that 1t Is considered that 1t
would be quite impossible to have
abroad in the United States on a
friendly status the diplomatic and con.
sular agents Of Germany's ally.
Penf7eld at Zurich.
The safe arrival of Ambassador and
Mrs. Penfeld at Zurich. Switzerland.
with three members of the embassy
was reported to the department.
Joseph G. Grew. formerly secretary
at Berlin. is charge in Vienna. He
received his passports at Berlin. so
this Is the second diplomatic break in
which he has been participant.
Austria's severance cuts off all COM
munication with Sofia and CONSTANT
nople as the Greek cable to the latter
city. the only route except via Vienna,
l n 4.