New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-12
U.S.. SEES GRAVE
ISSUE IF SHELLS
HIT LIFEBOATS
WantOn Attack Not Ex'
cused by AncOna's At
tempt to Escape.
From n. Tribune Bureau.l

Washington, Nov ll.-Unofficial re-
ports of firing by the submarine on
the Ancona's passengers as they were
entering the lifeboats increased the
anxiety in official quarters here to-
day. State Department officials de-
clared that previous efforts of the An
coma to escape could not excuse a wan
ton attack on non-combatants and
that If the press reports were correct
a grave issue would be raised.
No new details of the tragedy were
received to-day in official dispatches to
the State Department. Secretary Lam
sing will not comment on the unof-
fetal reports. but will wait until all
the circumstances of the attack are
presented to him before passing an
opinion on this governments duty in
the case. Ambassador Page, at Rome,
and American consuls in Italy and
North Africa have been instructed to
interview survivors.
The report that the attacking sub
marine was German, though flying tho
Austrian flag, is not generally credited
here II is pointed out that Germany
is not at war with Italy, and would
therefore hesitate to commit an act or
war against that country. II the report
is substantiated the attack on the An
coma will tend to revive the Lusitania
incident, officials declare. Renewed
German submarine activity, even II
justified in this case, would emphasize
the fact that the agreement with GER
many is far from complete and would
lead the administration to exact an I'M
mediate settlement Of the issues.
IL is felt that while technically an
attack by an Austrian submarine would
be first offence, the Austrian gov
ernment, as an ally Of Germany, IS
morally bound by the assurances given
by the German Ambassador, the more
so as ex-Ambassador Dumba was
party TO many Of the conversations be-
tween Count Won Bernstorf and Sec
retary Lansing and had every oppor-
tunity Of knowing the attitude of this
government. II, therefore, the circum-
stances of the attack warrant action
by the State Department il is held that
il cannot consistently be content with
anything short of an immediate and
complete disavowal.
Administration officials are wonder
ing what use Austria may make in case
of n serious issue Of ex-Secretary
Bryan's assurance TO Ambassador
Dumba that the Presidents notes to
Germany were for home consumption
only That declaration has never been
annulled, so far as can be learned. and
the Austrian government may stand on
it if representations are made which
refer to the correspondence with Ger
many.
Pasquale Laurine, an American cit
izen. is among the missing passengers
of the Ancona. according to informa-
tion from Naples. So far it has been
impossible 10 ascertain definitely the
number of Americans lost.
A cable message from Consul White,
at Naples, says:
"The Societa Italia now reports that
the following American citizens were
aboard the steamship Ancona: First
cabin, Mrs. Cecille l.. Greil; steerage,
Alessandro Patattivo, wife and four
children; Mrs. Francesca Mascolo La
mura and minor child, and Pasquaie
Laurine; and that BAT passengers ana
crew were reported as saved out OF
1876. The steamship company IS CON
fident that more will be reported rs
saved"