Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-07

which. according to the Austro-Hun-
Garian governments firm conviction
are unassailable: as otherwise disput-
ing their correctness would doubtless
De tantamount to sayinS--which GER
t3inly does not correspond TO the
opinion of the United States-that ncu-
trails must be free to interfere with
military operations OF bcliigcrents or
even directly assume the Office OF jude-
Ing us to the war means which arc to
be employed against enemies.
1T appears that 1t also would be Il
hasrant misunderstanding If a neutral
government. only TO enable it's sub
tects TO travel on enemy vessels while
they ms readily and even with far
greater security. could use neutral
vessels, should fall TO arms with 4
belligerent power which. perhaps was
lighting for its existence. not TO speak
or the most serious abuses for which
the road would be left clear if the
belliserent were 10 lie forced TO lower
arms before every neutral who desired
TO use enemy vessels for his business
or pleasure trips Never was there the
slightest doub, that neutral subjects
themselves have 10 bear all the loss
which they suffer by entering Oh land
territory where warltiic operations are
rca son TO allow different principles for
war sea. the more 50 at the
second peace conference the wish was
expressed that until the time when war
on sea should have found settlement
by agreements the law in force for war
on land should lie employed as FAR as
this was possible, also for war on sea.
REGULATION TNDERGOIS
VARIOUS EXCEPTIONS
In the spirit IF what was previously
said. the regulation that warning must
oc given 10 ship which * To he sunk
undercocs exceptions OF various kinds
under certain circumstances: as for in
stance. az mentioned by the American
government i'll cases OF niEht and re-
stStance. when vessels may he de-
stroyed without warning: while in other
cases warning before the departure Of
vessel is necessary. The Austro-
Hungarian government can therefore
state what attitude soevcr the Wash
inEion Cabinet may take in regard 10
individual questions raised here. that
il. al especially regards protection or
neutralS against cndanccring their
lives. is essentially in accord with tho
American government. But il was not
only satisfied TO put into effect in the
course OF this war tho conception
represented by her. but beyond that it
also accommodated its attitude with
painful care 10 the thesis sct up by the
Washington Cabinet. and would feel
Inclined 10 sMppvr; 1t in it's endcaror
to secure American citizens against
dangers al sea. which ondeavor il sup
ports by The warmcst philanthropy and
10y insuuctns and warming these lin
t,tr 81
''As regards circular note 1850" Of
las, year regarding tho treatmen, OF
armed enemy merchantmen. the Aus
tro-iluncarian government, ii is true,
has to stat. that as already mentioned
previously. ii is Of the opinion that
tho armius uf me"chantmeit. even IL
solely for defense AGAINST the exercise
Of III" right Of capture. i not cstab-
lished Icy modern international law.
y war vessel is Obliged 10 come into
contact with enemy merchantmen in 4
peaceful manner. Il has 10 wayiay
the vessel 10y certain signals. TO enter
into communication with the captain.
10 examine the shir's papers. draw UP
protocol and If necessary. take an
inventory. cite Ft;!fillment of these
duties presupposcs naturally that the
war vessel has full certainty that the
merchantmau. on its part. also viii
act peacefully. Without doubt such
certainty does not exist If the lncr-
chantma,i possesses armament which is
sufficient 70 dght tho war vessel. II
can hardly hN expected 10 discharge its
duties under the 'nuZzle OF guns. what
ever their purpose may he: without
meutiouine tn. fact shat merchantmen
% The entente pow"rs. despite all az