Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-13
AUSTRIA is TOLD
WHAT IT MUST DO
IN ANCONA CASE
Latest Note Does Not Mince Words
Regarding the Sinking of the
italian Liner by Sub
marine.
ABHo. GENT TO CIVILIZATION
Calls 4 illegal and Indefensibls
Act and Calls for Repsra-
tIoh.
BREAK DEPENDS ON ANSWER


WARRINGTON. Dec. 12.-The
text OF the American note to Austro-
Hungary regarding the sinking Of
the Italian steamship Ancona. made
public tonight, reveals a formal de-
mand by tho United States for
prompt announcement OF the illegal
and indefensible" act, for punish-
ment OF the submarine commander,
and for reparation by the payment OF
indemnity for the killing and injur-
ing OF innocent American citizens.
These demands follow a state
ment informing Austro-Hungary
that the good relations OF the two
countries must rest upon common
regard for law and humanity" The
note arraigns the shelling and tor
pedoing OF the liner as "inhumane,"
''barbarous" and 'the wanton
slaughter" OF helpless men. women
ana children"
In official and diplonnatlc circles the
communication is regarded as being the
most emphatic declaration to come from
tho United States government since tbs
beginnins Of the European war. No at
| tempt is made TO conceal the fact that
unless the demands are quickly complied
with. diplomatic relations between the
two countries will be In grave danger OF
being severed.
| The text OF the note. which was handed
to the Austrian foreign office, Thursday
by Ambassador Penfield, follows:
T~~s - Sot~
Reliable information obtained from
American and other survivors who were
passengers on the steamship Ancona
shows that on November submarine
flying the Austro-Hungarian flag fierd
a solid shot toward the steamship: that
thereupon the @Ancona attempted to
escape, but being overhauled by the sub
marine Il stopped; that after a brief
period and efoTe the crow and passengers
were all able 70 taxa TO the boats the
submarine fired number Of shells at
the vessel and finally torpedoed and sank
II while there were yet many passengers
on board and that BY gun fire and
laundering of the vessel large number
Of persons lost their lives or were seri-
ously injured. among whom wero citizens
OF the United States
'The public statement Of the Austro-
Hungarian admiralty has been brought
TO the attention OF the government OF the
United States and received careful con-
alteration. This statement substantially
confirms the personal declarations of the
survivors. as II admits that the Ancona
after being shelled was torpedoed and
sunk while persons were still on board
! Knavya u, T. Attitude
THE Austro-Hungarian government has
been advised. through the correspondence
which has passed between the United
States and Germany. OF the attitude OF
the government OF the United States as
to the use OF submarines In attacking
vessels OF commerce. and the acqui-
escenee OF Germany In that attitude, yet
with full knowledge on the part OF the
Austro- Hungarian government of the
Views OF the government OF the United
states as expressed In no uncertain terms
TO the ally OF Austria-Hungary. the COM
mander Of the submarine which attacked
the Ancona failed to put In a place of
sofety the crew and passengers OF the
vessel which they purposed to destroy,
because. It Is presumed, of the impossi-
bility OF taking It into port as a prize
of war.
Violates Laws of Humanity.
The government OF the United States
considers that the commander violated
the principles OF international law and
of humanity by shelling and torpedoinE
the Ancona before the persons on board
had been put In a place OF safety or
even given sufficient time to leave the
vessel The conduct OF the commander
can only be characterised as wanton
slaughter of defenseless noncombatants.
since. at the time when the vessel was
shelled and torpedoed, II was not, II ap-
pears. resisting OF attempting to escape;
and no other reason is sufficient to ex-
euse such an attack. not even the pcssI-
bilIty OF rescue.
THE government OF the United States
Is forced, therefore. 20 conclude either
that the commander OF the submarine
acted in violation OF his instructions or
that the imperial and royal government
failed 20 issue instructions to the COM
(COnftnuad Of, paOo rr,.r. fs-I,.----