New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-20
Vienna Must Reject
Report Made by
Admiralty.
SAYS WILSON
SEEKS BREAK
Teuton Official SO Inter
prets Summary Nature
of New Demands.
fFron TIE Tribune Buesu

lFrNT lbe Irlohhr bAA'NN
Washington, Dec. 19.--The second
note TO Austria on the Ancona
atrocity has been completed by Sec
retary Lansing from memoranda re-
vised by President Wilson before his
wedding, and is believed to be on ITS
way to Vienna. 1t will not be made
public until Ambassador Pen1eld
cables that it has been delivered to
the Austrian government. The great
est pains have been taken to pre-
vent any definite knowledge OF its
phraseology from leaking out.
It is known. however. that the new
note emphasizes and in some cases
explains the points made in the frst.
1t points out that Austria's re-
sponsbility for the slaughter of the
helpless persons on the ship does not
depend in any way on the promise
made by Germany in the Arabic case
The long-standing rules OF interns-
tional law, il shows, provide for the
safety of non-combatants at sea, and
it Is on these that the United States
bases it's charges against the Aus
trian submarine commander and his
government, If it persists in support
ing him.
Certain portions Of the text Of the
new note were said tonight to be
nearly identical with portions Of the
first. The demands of the United
States. which are reiterated, are for
disavowal, punishment Of the subma-
rine commander and reparation by
the payment of indemnity for the
Americans killed and injured.
Would Avoid Debate.
Austria -Hungary's rejoinder 70
the first note contained an implied
request for details regarding the
American citizens who were killed or
injured. The State Department, IT
is said, has been unable TO obtain all
OF these names. and even though IT
has some of them they probably have
not been furnished TO the Austro-
Hungarian government.
The United States is represented
as being determined not to enter into
any discussion Of such details, this
government being primarily con-
cerned with the principles and the
violations Of law and neutral rights
involved.
The note. il is understood. will
broadly intimate that the final word
Of the United States has been spoken.
Upon the attitude of the Vienna For
eign Office depends the continuance
Of good relations between the two
governments.
One loophole seems 70 have been left
Austria to continue discussion, but that
is admittedly a very narrow one. II
Vienna should see fit to retract the
official statement Of the Vienna Ad-
miralty. which relates the facts on
which this government rests its com
plant, a way would be opened for dis
cussion 10 determine what actually hap
pened. 1t is not believed that Austria
can or will do this. since an admission
that an official statement had been in
correct would be hardly less damaging
than complete compliance. Unless she
does make this admission. the United
own testimony.
Diplomatic but Stern.
In spite OF the almost insulting Ian
guage Of the Austrian reply. it is un-
derstood that the second American note
is couched in the most diplomatic term.
possible, considering the stern warning
they carry. No attempt has been made
TO initiate the tone of the Austrian For
eign Office.
Austria's reply is not expected for
several days possibly two weeks. II is
expected that the answer will be
prompt, but Il Is realized that the situ-
alton IS grave, that Austria is facing
serious alternatives and that time will
be needed for her 20 decide on a course
Any long delay, however, viii De consid-
cred almost as complete an answer asa
fat rejection OF the American demands.
The Official lnsistence that there will
be no temporizing in the Ancons case
has caused reaction from the opt-
mism seen in German and Austrian cir
cles here following the announcement
that this second note would not be an
ultimatum. Men acquainted with the
policies OF the Germanic allies profess
TO see no means By which an under
standing can be reached il the admins
tration stands on its first note, either