Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-10
SEWERS RELATIONS
WITH j. s. UNDER
BERLIN PRESSURE
Situation Generally Is Ex-
pectcd to Lead
to War.
CHARGE ASKS PASSPORTS
FOR HIMSELF AND STAFF
American Diplomatic and Consul
lar Officials Ordered to Wind
Up Affairs in Austria.
SPAIN TO ACT FOR AMERICA
Treasury Department Orders Sciz.
urc OF Interned Ships in This
Country'S Harbors.
SPAIN TO ACT FOR AMERICA
Treasury Department. Orders Sciz.
urc OF Internei Ships in This
Country'S Harbors.
Try Associated rrcsx-1

w ASH NtiToN. Aprtl 9.-AitStria-
Hungary. ranging herself unrescrvcdly
with Germany. has severed diplomatic
relations with the United states pre-
cipitatinE a situation which generally
is expected here to lead to war
Baron Erich lwicdinek. the Aus.
trian Charge. asked the State Depart.
ment to day for passports for himself
his staff and the Austrian consular
force in this country: and eimultauc,
ously American Minister Stovall re-
ported from Bern that Austria had an
nounced the breaI in relations TO tho
American embassy in Vienna yesterday
Immediately the Treasury Depart.
ment ordered the seizure of all AUS
trian merchant ships in American har-
bors. The Austrian crews were taken
off, and sent to immigration stations
and American guards put on board.
The measure WAS explained as pureiy.
ono OF precaution, but 1t ia realized
that 1t may be Interpreted by Austria
as an act OF war. In a similar situa.
ton. after the break with Germany.
no ships were seized until a state OF
war actually had been declared
Whether Bulgaria and Turkey are
preparing 10 fol" y suit still is un-
known. hut officials generally believe
that sooner or later they will do so
Bulgarian Minister Panaretoff called
on Secretary Lansing late to-day 10
ask If this government had any insor-,
nation from Sofia, bat was told none
had been received. Both Bulgaria ard
Turkey are believed here To be weary
OF the war. but German domination OF
the central European alliance Is ex.
pected to drive them, as il drove AIS
tria, TO break with Germany's new
enemy
TO WIND UP CONDUCT
OF ENTENTE INTERESTS
Kilograms prepared Il week ago in
anticipation of to-day's develoDment
nave been sent to American diplomats.
ana consular officials abroad instruct.
ing them 10 wind up their conduct Of
entente interests In Austria. and OF
Austrian interests in entente coun
tries Spain will take over American
interests in Austria. and Sweden will
assume Austrian interests here.
safe conducts for the former AVS
TRAN officials OH their trip home viii
DC sought at once from the British and
French governments. With them will
so Count Tarnowski. the newly up
pointed Austrian anna ssador who mr.
Ne" ~ new ork on the day Ger
man! announced her campaign Of ruth.
'e'SheSs' nut whose credentials pr.si-
'e"l "hSoh IA" refused TO accep.
"h'ic negotiations proceeded TO de-
Yclop how fully tho Vienna Eoycrnmcn,
indorsed the submarine policv of i,er
ally.
IN statcmen; tonight review;nl,
these negotiations. the State Dcpart
mCnt revealed ,at
president Wilson went before Con
gress 10 ask for declaration Of /, s,nt.
OF war with Germany. Austri, .er,..,
notice that such declaration u,o,,,d
mean break between the V,eh;,r
ton and vienna governments T,nts
hoiihcation brought to an abrun; e.,,l
'he a'ato departments efforts 10 as
Suddc the Austrian Foreign Oflcc f,,,iTi,,
duherihE fully to the German s,b,,.
rine policy.
Although the full text OF the com,
municationS exchanged was not given
OUT me departmcnt's review disclosed
disposition on the part OF the United
states to tolerate .>ustria's verbal in
d"rSomcnt OF the German policy. pro-
Nidod there w.'re no steps for actuat
CO. operation and no irsistcnce thar
Count TarEowski he received bv ,ba
PRESIDENT. On tho par. OF Austria
there was evident desire to maintain
friendly relations. hut an increasing
INABILITY TO do so because OF German
pressure.
WAR NOW THOUGHT
TO DE PRACTICAL CERTAINTY
Although war with Austria Il.
thought now 10 be practical coy,
taint!. Presidcnt Wilson is described :.
as having no intention OF forcing il.
The belief IS that the President viii
not ask Congress to declare that a
state OF war exists inicss some ovcrt
act against the United States Ia com.
mitted
officials we're wit"ou, definite adj
vices Tonight regarding arrangements
for withdrawal OF the embassy stan
at vienna and other Americans I'm tho
dual empire Ambassador Penfeld al
ready Is In Switzerland. having been
ordered more than a week ago to start
for Washington for personal discis. 4
sion of the Austrian ncroffatiops Or ~.