The Tomahawk., 1917-03-15
AUSTRIA REPLIES
TO j. APPROVES
7ERR0R|SMA 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-Armed Merchant Ships
Branded Pirates-ResponsibIIity
For Deaths in "Barred Zone"
DiscIaimed 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 sd
hesion to the principles of unrestrict-
ed submarine warfare as laid down in
Berlin's 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
trfa of 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-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 portion OF
the Austrian argument, the extreme
reluctance felt here for break with
Germany's chief ally and the fact that
Austria also does not desire it, will
assure the note most friendly road
Ing
Other Breaks Seen.
A break with Austria probably
would be 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 1,00O,-
900 or more prisoners for whom this
country has been caring, as we'll as
cut off a line Of communication from
Berlin.
The subject was discussed at a
meeting of the cabinet.
The government, on first reading Of
the reply, was inclined to wait for acts
by. Austria. It's 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
apparently has no submarines Of its
own wherewith to carry out even her
threat against enemy merchantmen.
Most Lengthy Reply.
Authorities feel that in its efforts to
prevent break, it will be advisable
at this time to await developments to
see if it carries out submarine warfare
against vessels other than enemy mer-
chantmen.
The government is not inclined to
break over Endorsement of a theory.
Austria cannot give up its right to
sink enemy merchantmen" Vienna
declared in it's reply. Austria does
not however, include neutral mer-
chantships under this right.
Austria's reply is far less conclusive
than it's original note sent shortly aft.
er Germany's barred zone decree, and
in which it upheld strongly the Ger
man intention. - The reply is the most
lengthy diplomatic note received at