Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-19
VIENNAPAPERS ARE
MODERATE IN TONE
They Praise Austrian Governments
Reply to "Uncouth" Amer
lean Note.
NEUE FRE1E PREssE CAUsTIC

VIENNA (Via London). Dec. 1S.
The editorial comment pm the
Austro- o-Hungarian governments re-
ply to the American governments
note concerning the sinking of the
Italian liner Altoona is characterized
by moderation. The reply was pub
lished this morning. The comment
of the Neue Freie Presse probably is
the most caustic of any OF the news
papers.
Baron BurIan" says this newspaper.
has answered the uncouth note of the
United States with careful reserve. In
the preliminary counter explanation the
effort Is made TO induce the Washington
cabinet to establish the reliability OF the
charges that International law had been
violated instead of accepting the gem
eralities of accusations made in a state
OF super-excitement. The calm treatment
OF the American note is good for the
reason that the old world has been stupid
enough to make itself economically de-
pendent upon the new world by wasting
its strength. But 1t will show itself SUI
pertor In the politeness governing the re-
lations between peoples"
Contrary to Law.
| The Neue Erie Presse and other papers
point to the impossibihty of the Austro-
Hungarian government admitting that
the commander OF the submarine which
sank the Ancona should be punished for
a possible deficiency upon the demand OF
another government and when the evil
dence upon which such demand is
based is not accessible to the Austro-
! Hungarian government and consists en-
tirely of statements made by the plain
tiff's SIDE. The newspapers say this Is
contrary to any law or system of jurs-
prudence and In addition incompatible
with the fundamental principles of state
sovereignty.
The American government, the news
papers assert. would not think of grant
ing any such demand for the reasons
stated, nor could 1t entertain doing so IL
1t did not desire utterly to demoraliEe its
naval service by giving its officers to
understand that while they were expected
to carry out orders, the consequences of
performing the duties so imposed would
be visited upon them.
Concerning the American attitude that
Austria-Hungary should base its instruc-
tions to submarine commanders on the
American notes to the German govern
ment In the Lusitania case, the news
papers say that while the American gov
ernment would be justified in making its
position in that instance a precedent, It
could not use 1t on the principle that
, ignorance Is no excuse before the law
since in this case the American govern
ment is not the Judge. but the plaintiff
who enjoys, according to international
law. no prerogatives nor privileges which
the Austro-Hungary government as the
agent Of a sovereign people does not have
| Not vassaI state.
Nor says the editorial, is the American
government justified in looking upon
Austria Hungary as Germany's vassal
state This idea, which they assume the
Washington note indirectly indicates,
they declare to be most absurd. Austria
Hungary. they add, now as ever. is a
separate and independent state and any
relations the American government may
, have with Austria Hungary must have
! this fact as a basis.
D Some OF the papers express the belief
: that the American note was hastily
p drafted and that its equity aspects were
4 not Thoroughly considered before the note
was transmitted. because they argue
! there Is no reason to believe that Wash.
g ington, as the champion OF intematIonal
q law. would have purposely ignored sc
q fundamental a principle OF international
+ law as state sovereignty. which the note
Ia many essentials. entirely overiooked