Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-06

49, -ssDssO - -
London, March 6. - The American
ambassador at Vienna has been handed
the reply Of the Austrian government
to the American note inquiring as TO
the position Of the Austrian govern
anent In regard to unrestricted subnna-
rinS warfare. according to & vienna
III rs ReutS y VIA At1sstsrdAi,.
sfho reply hectares that nsut1AS Ar
responsible for Losses they suffer In en-
fsfinx territory whsre warlike opera
tons are taking place.
The American note, which was dis
patched ito Vienna on Feb: IL, asked
specifically whether the Austrian as
surances given following the sinking OF
the Ancona and Persia had been nulli-
fed. The reply says that whatever po-
sition the American cabinet may take
10 questions raised here, the Austrian
government is essentially in accord
with the American government in re-
gard to the protection against endan-
gering lives"
The memorandum then maintains
that neutral subjects have to bear
losses they suffer on entering territory
where warlikes operations are taking
place"
After discussing the British block
sade, the memorandum continues:
ssThe principle that neutrals should
enjoy in war times the advantages OK
the freedom Of the seas refers only to
neutral vessels and not neutrals aboard
belligerent vessels.
The reply contends that belligerents
are entitled to decide for themselves
what measures should be taken AGAINST
an enemy In sea traffic and concludes:
aIn such cases neutrals have no
ether legitimate interests and there
fore no other legal claim than that a
belligerent informed them in time OF
prohibition directed to an enemy so
that they can avoid entrusting their
lives and their goods to enemy ves-
sells"
Text Of Reply.
The text OF the reply is quoted in
part as follows in later Vienna dis
patch:
From the memorandum Of Feb. 1S,
or the american ambassador, the
Austro- Hungarian foreign minister
has concluded that the Washington
cabinet, in view Of statements made
Feb. 10, last year and on Jan. 81, 1917,
!. by Austro- Hungarian government, is
now in doubt regarding attitude which
Austria Hungary will henceforth OBJ
serve regarding the submarine war,
and as 10 whether the assurances
given by the Austro- Hungarian gov
eminent to the Washington cabinet in
negotiations about the Ancona and
Persia papers have not been nul1ified
nv the aforementioned statement. The
Austro- Hungarian government is ready
to make clear a definite statement that
these doubts may be solved.
Accuses Great Britain.
when Great Britain Joined the war
against the central powers only a fey
!. years had elapsed since she, in a
union with other states, began to lay
the rules for modern naval law. Soon
after there assembled in Holland rep-
Sresentatives of the great powers to
: III her Il; Il, ii The work Of The Hague
These efforts aimed at nothing Tess
than the mutual establishment of
principles of right which even in war
times should embody the principles of
+ The seas and the safeguarding Of in
terests of neutrals.
'Neutrals were not to enjoy these
! benefits for long. Hardly had the
united Kingdom decided to enter the
war until at once it began to break
aoNn the barriers Of international law.
While the central powers had declared
4 that they would observe the declara-
q ton of London. Great Britain threw
Eofesboard this important provision.
IN An endeavor to cut OH the central
4 I10Wefs from supplies from overseas
I No enlarged step by step, the list OF