Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-07
ANXIOUS To AVOID
AWAR WITH US.
High Austrian Officials Say
TeutonS Have No Wish
for HostiIities.
WANT FUTURE ASSISTANCE

By the Associated Press.
VIENNA. Saturday. February 3. via
Berlin and Sayville. February Tn an
interview given by a high government
official today to the Associated Press
shortly after the receipt of news that
diplomatic relations between Germany
and the United States had been sew
cred. the following statement was
made:
I'VE had hoped that the American
government would take different view
of our situation. especially since we
had waited more than a year before
decision in the question was reached.
which was entirely courtesy on our
part toward the United States. During
that time we had entertained the hope
that it would never be necessary 10
give the submarine its full enec!lVe-
ness, although we long ago had been
convinced of such effectiveness
Now "War of Conquest
when President Wilson finally in
terested himself in behalf of peace We
sighed in relief because we hoped the
entente after turning down our oner,
would not dare step before the world
with war program which from start
to finish was nothing but a declaration
that the entente was continuing inc
war for conquest. Our peace oner was
made despite the fact that we were
holding every military advantage. we
took this action because our war was
one of Self-defense. The entente re
fused to entertain our oner. leaving
US no other way than the one now
adopted.
would see that this action was 5ustihed.
and we still SO hope, believing this
because we are sure that the American
people, If they were similarly cornered.
would do the same in sef-defense. For
this reason we are not ready TO aoah-
don hope that peace between the United
States and Austria Hungary will be
maintained.
War Zone Not Hostile.
I'VE still believe that President Will
sons high aims are reconcilable with
our measures, because this measure is
necessary If Austria Hungary's people
are not to pass under the rule of gov
ernments which in their last note shed
the last rag of decency and proclaimed
themselves as promoters OF war OF
conquest. There is no reason why even
single American should look upon
the extension of our sea war zone as
hostile act directed against his coun-
I'VE are not giving our submarines
their greatest application because of
design to conquer or sub1ugate, or TO
aarm American interests. but solely to
perform our God-given duty to defend
ourselves and our lives through an
other avenue opened. We reached our
decision after much thought upon
everything, the many difficulties our
own minds suggest, but the decision
had to be reached if our efforts were
to be realized to continue q free peo-
pie; If large parts of the monarchy
were not to fall under Russian absolut-
ism and misrule; II the fragments OF
the monarchy then remaining were
not to be cut off from access to the
sea by the loss Of the Adriatic coast.
Future Hope in o. s.
Having borne the sacrifices of
treasure and blood In this war for
thirty months and having tasted every
horror of modern warfare, we should
all the more regret difficulties with the
United States. which is regarded as a
nation that, when peace comes. would
give assistance to Europes stricken
people to rehabilitate themselves not
only materially but morally. War with
the United States, for this reason,
would be calamity for all mankind,
because SuCn q war WOuiu place. upon
the American people the same burden
under which Europe groans today',
which ultimately may mean the de-
basement of the entire white race if
carried to the excess to which partici-
patton by the United States would I'M
doubtedly lead.
1--WE have many who say that tho
greater the number of our enemies the
greater, ultimately. our credit for hav-
ing defended ourselves against such
odds, especially if mighty America de-
cdes to aid the entente, directly or in
directly, to make the form of organized
central Europe again what 1t was after
Napoleon's march of conquest. We wish
to continue living in peace with tho
United States, not to have such a peace
forced upon or the American public.
Even the entente cannot entertain the
hope that the war will lead to the total
extinction Of our race, and the day will
come when the United States. although
1t may not need the assistance of a third
party, may wish to have that impartial
attitude and just consideration of
meritorious case which we now seek III
Washington.