The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-06
Austrian Effort for "Gen-
eral Warning" Cannot
Be Accepted by u. S.
GOVERNMENTS WIDE APART
Points of Radical Differ
ence Between America
and Austria
(By Associated Press.)

| Washington, March 6.-Austria's
note declaring adhesion to the general
| principles of unrestricted submarine
warfare, holds out little. If any. hope
that a break between the United
States and the Vienna government
may be avoided. The complete official
view Of the Austrian communication
! will not be made known until after
President Wilson and Secretary Lam
| sing have carefully studied the off,
cial text. which was before them to-
| day. Also the subject was to be dis
cussed at today's meeting of the
cabinet.
Austria's effort to substitute for the
individual warning every merchant
ship is entitled by international law
| to receive before being torpedoed q
general warning to all vessels not to
enter barred zones cannot be accepted
by this government.
Furthermore. the United States con-
tends now and has always contended
that neutrals aboard enemy ships are
entitled to safety. The declaration In
the Austrian note. that "the principle
that neutrals in war times also should
enjoy the advantages of freedom 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.
posed to permit establishment by AUS
tria of rule that war on the sea in-
volviag reprisals is IAN affair for set
tlement between belligerents," when
the interests, rights and lives OF Eleu-
trails are affected
- Austrian attehp pts int he corlmS S8llica-
ltion to distinkuksh between the treat
ment which shall be accorded neutral
and enemy shipping Is regarded in
various quarters as being somewhat
similar to sGermany's effort to es-
tablish a safety zone" for American
liners between New York and Fall
mouth. The unofficial text, however,
does not make it clear just what in
tention Austria has toward neutral
ships.
Although the Austrian communica-
ton declares that "there obviously is
no reason to allow different princi-
pies for war on land and seas" the
position of the United States is that
different principles do govern the diff
ferent conditions and the United
States has contended and the various
belligerents have during the course Of
the war virtually admitted that during
hostilities international law cannot be
changed without the consent of all the
nations involved.
Another portion of the communica-
ton which undoubtedly will not meet
with the approval of the United
States is that having to do with de-
fensiVely armed merchant ships. Aus
trials assertion that her previous as
surances did not apply to armed
merchant vessels was received with
some surprise. The broad declaration
that armed merchantmen "are to be
regarded as pirate vessels which may
be destroyed" was regarded as being
especially significant, in view OF the
nf va
garding armament for its merchant
shipping.
Notwithstanding the perplexity
created in the minds of officials with
q 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 reading.
A break with Austria probably
would be followed by one with Bul-
garia and Turkey, jeopardizing Amer-
lean interests in those countries;
would lead to diplomatic readjust-
ments because of the helligerents this
country represents in Austria. and the
Austrian interests represented else
where, and would endanger the mill
lion or more prisoners for whom this
country has been caring as well as
cut off a line of communication from
Berlin.
The Austrian reply seemed to in-
dicate that Austria has confirmed adj
vices from Ambassador Penfield that
q break was not desired in Vienna.
That Germany has been pressing AUS
tria to endorse her position moral
Iy to the extent of break with the
United States, also has been stated,
but there has been some feeling lately
that Austria would resist such pres
UH