The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1917-03-28
AUSTRIA REPLIES :.
- 49,. y. 81 ~. s. I'D rs
T0u.S.;APPROVEs
TERRORISM At SEA
NOTE OF UNUSUAL LENGTH up
HOLDS RUTHLESS SUBMARINE
WARFARE INAUGURATED By
GERMAN NATION.
BREACH in DIPLOMATIC
RELATIONS is FORECAST
Capitol Sees Slight Hope For Averting
Break-Armcd Merchant Ships
Branded Pirates-Responsibil!ty
For Deaths in "Barred Zone"
Disclaimed by Austria.


Disclaimed by Austria.
Washington, March 7.-Austria- Hun
gary's reply to the United States on
Germany's ruthless U boat warfare
holds out little hope of averting a
break between this government and,
the second power of the Teutonic al
lance.
The Vienna note, presented to
American Ambassador Frederic C.
Penfield and delivered to the state
department, proclaims Austria's ad-
| hesion to the principles of unrestrict-
ed submarine warfare as laid down in
Berlins establishment of the barred
zone.
Contention to Be Rejected.
While President Wilson and his ad-
! visers waited delayed decision on the
note pending careful consideration, it
was deemed certain in administration
! circles that Austria's contention that
! the principle that neutrals in war time
| should enjoy the advantages of free
dom of the seas refers only to neutral
vessels, not to neutral persons aboard
enemy vessels, in no way comedies
with the position Of the United States,
and will be rejected.
| Neither is the United States dis
posed to permit establishment by Aus
tr1a OF a rule that war on the sea
involving reprisals is IAN affair for
settlement between belligerents' when
the interests, rights and lives of neu-
trails are affected.
! DiscIaims Responsibility.
! While Austro-Hungary war vessels
are under orders to warn merchant.
men and assure the safety of passen-
gers and crew, if possible, the note
says, 'for eventual losses of life in
the destruction Of armed vessels or
such encountered in the barred zone,
the Austro-H Hungarian government can
take no responsibility"
The broad declaration that armed
merchantmen are to be regarded as
pirate vessels, which may be destroy.
ed was regarded as being especially
significant in view of the intentions
of the United States regarding arma
ment for it's merchant shipping. Not
withstanding the perplexity created in
the minds of officials by a portion OF
the Austrian argument, the extreme
reluctance felt here for a break with
Germany's chief ally and the fact that
Austria also does+not desire it, will
assure the note a most friendly read
ing.
Other Breaks Seen.
A break with Austria probably
would De followed by one with Bulga
ria and Turkey, jeopardizing Ameri
can interests in those countries; would
lead to many diplomatic readjust
ments because of the belligerents this
country represents in Austria and the
Austrian interests represented else
where, and would endanger the 1000,
900 or more prisoners for whom this
country has been caring, as well as
! cut off a line of communication from
Berlin.
/ The subject was discussed at &
meeting of the cabinet
i The government, on first reading OF
, the reply, was inclined to wait for acts
| by Austria. Its words, officials said
indicated a desire on Austria's part
to avoid a break with the United
/ States, even though it supports the
| theory Of Germany's unlimited subma
, rine warfare
Most significant yet is that Austria
1 apparently has no submarines of its
own whereWith to carry out even he,
/ threat against enemy merchantmen.
! Most Lengthy Reply.
Authorities feel that in it's efforts t.
prevent break, it will be advisable
at this time to await developments tt
see If it carries out submarine warfare
> | against vessels other than enemy mer
chantmen.
The government is not inclined tt
break over Endorsement of a theory.
j Austria cannot give up it's right tt
sink enemy merchantmen Vienna
declared In it's reply. Austria does
not, however, include neutral mer
chantships under this right.
Il Austria's reply is far less conclusive
, than it's original note sent shortly aft
: or Germany's barred zone decree, ant
In which it upheld strongly the Ger
man intention. The reply is the mos
, lengthy diplomatic note received a
the state department in long time.
Amsterdam, March 8.-Senator.