The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-13

Soud uotc, VOpy VI WusCu VIZ 8tVcu
to Baron Zwiedinek' yesterday after
having been delivered to the Austrian
Government by Ambassador Penield
at Vienna last Thursday. has created
grave concern. While the hope Is ex-
pressed that a way will be found to
avoid q break there 10 no hesitation in
the comment that the tom OF the note
will make q settlement extremely dim.
cult.
Both Austria and Germany. II Is
said in these quarters. are anxious to
continue on a basis OF friendship with
the United States. The fear wes plainly
expressed, though, that II the Ancona
note is made public In Austria the ef.
feet on public opinion there. already
~rescntful OF the enforced recall Of Am
hassador Dumba and the refusal Of the
United States to put \ stop 70 the
traffic in arms between this country
and the Allies. will make 1t extremely
difficult for Austria to comply with the
American demands.
May Not Publish Vote.
For this reason the suggestion Is
made In responsible quarters associated
with the Austrian Embassy that II the
Austrian Government itself IL willing to
meet these demands II VIII withhold Ell
tirely any publication OF the American
communication In Austria. This could
be lone through the strict censorship
which exists over the Austrian news
papers n also through control by
Germany Of the only means of wire
States and Austria. Should Austria de-
eide on this course. the German Gov
eminent probably would be asked TO see
to II that the German papers likewise
did not publish the text OF the note.
In diplomatic circles close I h Cen
trail Powers the impression prevailed
that Austria might fnd II possible to
disavow the ret on the ground that the
submarine commander acted contrary to
orders. Neither Germany nor Austria.
Il was pointed out. has ever proclaimed
q war zone in the Mediterranean similar
70 that proclaimed by Germany OF the
coast O: England and France.
Consequently. while Germany has
found II impossible thus far to disavow
the Lusitania act because OF these pub
licly proclaimed orders to her submarine
commanders. Austria, 1t Is asserted,
would not be under this handicap and
might ind II possible to say that Aus
trian submarines were never directed 70
attack non-combatant merchant vessels
in the Mediterranean.
Germany. II was pointed out. was able
TO disavow the sinking OF the Arabic
because she had changed her orders &c
her submarines.
TIVE Courses Open.
IN authoritative diplomatic quarters
the prediction Ia made. therefore. that II
Austria does not break of relations witt
the United States on account OF the
peremptory character Of the American
note she will 10 one OF these two things
1. Declare that, as no war som
existed in the Mediterranean and a.
her submarines were not directed to
attack unarmed merchant ships flying
the Italian or any other ~belligerent
nag without warning. the attack was
s~fndefensible and illegal" and agree
20 punish the officer and make repara-
ton. or
2. Admit that the oficer wal act
ing under orders. but give assurances
that the orders will be modified In the
came manner in which Germany modi-
Aed the orders to her commanders.
While IT is admitted in these quarter
that a reply along the latter line would
not meet the demands OF the United
States, II IL suggested that a. a partia
concession Il might be accepted By tn
American Government as a basis fol
further discussion before friendly rela'
tions are severed.
That Austria will deny the charge II
the note thai the submarine commander
torpedoed and sank the Ancona while
persons were still on board" 10 though
unlikely in view of the fact that thu
statement issued by the Austrian Ad
miralty shortly after the attack admitted
this TO be O fact.
May Defend Acts.
On the other hand 1t Is possible tina
she may seek TO defend II on the ground
which the American note itself admits
that the Ancona had tried to escape.
In American oficial circles. however
Il was doubted whether the note Of Sec
rotary Lansing would admit Of any de
fence being given out on this or othe
score.
On the other hand oficials Of tn,
American Government are hopeful tha
Germany, which is believed to be exert
ing considerable influence over the for
eign policy Of her ally. will persuad
Austria to comply with he demand
Whether this hope Is to bo justified per
sons in close touch with the 0ermal
Embassy believe II Ia impossible to say
Before a reply Is sent the Foreign ONO
at Berlin and Vienna undoubtedly vii
exchange views.
The State Department to-day wa
without information from Ambassado
Penfield as to when . reply might b
expected. 1t Is assume hat he has In
dictated to rome extent at least tn
manner In which the communicate
was received from him at the Austria
Foreign Office. but or this subject stat
Department officials decline absolutel
to throw any light.
Owing to the Vague and incomplet
returns which W. been sent 70 tn
State Department by United state
Ambassador Thomas Nelson Page cor
frmation never has been obtained O
tho charge made by the survivors tbs
the submarine shelled one Of the life
boats containing passengers In fact, n
appears from the American note. tn
evidence upon which the United State
charges the submarine commander wit
violating international law IL conhne
10 that given In the Austrian Admiralt
statement admitting that 'the Ancon
after being shelled was ~torpedoed an
SUM while persons were still on board.