New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-21
Wilson Determined
to Stand Firm on
All Demands.
REPORT ENJOYS
READY TO LEAVE
Nine Americans Lost
When Liner Sank, Is
Pages Report.
From The Trihurs Buresu 7

Washington. Dec. 20.-Austria's
reply TO yesterdays note must be a
compliance with the American de
mand if she wishes to preserve rela
tons with this country. The Ameri-
can government has closed its case
and will not debate either the evil
dence, the law or the terms laid
down. The continuance OF friend
ship between the two countries will
depend on the answer, and the choice
rests with Austria alone.
This was the attitude taken to-day
by officials, and they are quite pre-
pared for the break in relations
which will come if Austria evades or
refuses. They still hope that she will
see fit to put herself into agreement
with the law and humanity, but the
course they will take If she fails TO
do so has been laid out.
Little weight is given TO the posi-
bility that Austria will repudiate her
Admiralty's statement, on which the
American case is based To do 50
would he hardly less injurious TO her
pride than full and direct compli-
ance with the American demands.
and would at best give only brief
respite until this government could
prepare in a new form the evidence
1t has been gathering from its own
witnesses as to the action Of the Aus
trian submarines. IL might, more
over, be construed by this govern
ment as showing a lack Of frankness
by Austria in her dealing with US
and thus increase rather than d.
minish the tension.
Wilson to Stand Firm.
Secretary Lansing declined TO dis
cuss the affair to-day, announcing
that the note would be made public
Wednesday afternoon, when, pre-
sumably, it will be delivered to the
Foreign Office in Vienna. From in
formed officials, however, it was
learned that the administration's
policy toward Austria was rormu-
lated definitely before the first note
was sent, that il was rigidly adhered
to, and that II will be followed 10
the end.
Officially silent, the administra-
ton has quietly circulated the infor-
nation through confidential channels
that Austria will be dealt with In
strict accordance with the terms Of
the original American note, without
quibbling and without further dis
cussion.
ut would do untold harm," an Of
fetal said to-day, "it the impression
were conveyed through the press
that any solution short Of complete
would be acceptable 10
this government. Such reports cabled
to Vienna might place the Austrian
under a misapprehsn-
sion as to the real intentions Of the
United States and lead to another
evasive answer, which could only rc.
suit in a severance Of relations. II
cannot be stated too strongly that
this government Is ready TO break
with Austria II It's demands arc not
speedily complied with"
Washington Sees Break.
In the face Of thIs sentiment, which
is reflected In administrat!on circles
everywhere, hope Of an sn1icabls ssttls-
msnt Of the Ancons case has greatly
lsssened. Such hope ss exists 10 based
almost entirely on the belief that Prssi-
dent Wilson Will allow himself once
more to be drawn into protraetsd de-
bate, in which tho main issue will be
lost in a maEs Of irrelsvancies.
Published forecasts Of the new note
are looked on in German circles as Pre-.
eluding any other solution than Q rupt-
ure. IL Is admitted that there Is still
q possibility that Vienna will meet the
American demands, but II this Is done
IL viii be purely because Of material
considerations. chief among which are
tho effect that such an event would
have on European, and particularly
Balkan, neutrals, and on the extensive
work now being carried on for Austria
Hungary In connection with prison
camp inspection, IN which hundreds OF
American consular and diplomat'e
agents are engaged. The trsnsferrenee
Of this duty 70 another sovsrnmens
would work great hardship or Austria.
IL is not believed there thsf the
breaking OF Of relations 10 At all likely