Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1915-12-29
DON'T LIKE AUSTRIAN NOTE.
American Note i'm Reply Will Insist
on Something More Definite.

washington, Dec. 1S.-The official
text of Austria's reply to the Ameri-
| can note on the Ancona, made public
here to-day, reveals that the Vienna
government denies that the views
presented by the United States, even
if correct, warrant the blame for the
disaster being placed upon the COM
mander of the submarine.
The reply denies also that blame
can be placed upon the Austro- Hun
Sarian government even if most
rigorous legal construction were ap-
piled to the judgment of the case"
The note also states that the Aus
tro-Hungarian government is unable
to determine what the United States
intended to indicate when it men
toned the attitude which Germany
had assumed toward submarine war
fare. 1t adds that if the United
States intended Ito express an opin-
ion to the effect that a prejudice. of
whatever nature, existed" with re-
spect to "juridical consideration" of
the affair, the Vienna government de-
clares that it reserves TO itself Gull
| freedom of maintaining it's own legal
view"
Except for slight variation in trans
lation the remainder of the official
text virtually is identical with the
! unofficial version, cabled from Lon
| DON
1t was agreed seemingly in official
quarters that the official text did not
| minimize a realization Of the gravity
of the situation which was impressed
| on officials by the unofficial cables
but it also was apparent that the door
| to further negotiations was not
closed
The State Department also made
public an official text Of the Austrian
| admiraltys statement, previously
| published, which admitted that the
submarine fired on the Ancona after
the ship had come to a stop and while
passengers still were aboard.
In closing the note the representa-
tive Of the Hungarian govern
ment takes occasion to say:
I'm having the honor to have re-
course to the kindness Of his excel
| lency, the ambassador of the United
States Of America, with the most re-
spectful request to be good enough to
| communicate the foregoing to the
American government, and on this
| occasion to state that the imperial
and royal government is in no less de-
gree than the American government
and under all circumstances must
sincerely deplore the fate Of the inno-
cent victims Of the incident in ques-
ton the undersigned at the same
time avails himself on this opportu-
nifty TO renew the expressions of his
most distinguished consideration to
his eNcellency, the ambassador"
American Reply Early.
Washington, Dec. 1S.--President
Wilson began work to-day on the sec
| Ond note to Austria on the sinking of
the Ancona.
Friendly relations between the
United States and Austria. it was
stated authoritatiyely are near the
breaking point, and their continuance
will depend entirely upon the reply
| Austria will be asked to make imme-
diately.
Although the word ultimatum was
not used by officials in discussing the
note, it was indicated that the reply
will state clearly the alternative
which will follow if Austria's reply is
unsatisfactory.
Secretary Lansing sent to the
| White House early in the day men,
orandum outlining his views as to
what the second American note
should contain. The President i'm
mediately began to work on drafting
the note, which will be sent to Wen
ma within the next few days.
Close study OF Austrias reply to
the American note demands that
there should he q disavowal of the
act of the submarine commander in
sinking the Ancona, his punishment.
rcparatiOn for American lives lost and
assurances, that the incident would!
not be repeated, did not relieve tie
gravity with which officials viewed
the situation.
President Wilson, while on his
wedding tour, will keep in constant
touch with the White House, and, if
necessary, Secretary Lansing will so
! q hi ~ q licn,,cr ha s.it