The Washington herald., 1915-12-13
An Ultimatum With No Tine Li;u,it.

An Os3Sus0SUm WIN 1vO IWNe 6GlSWs
Rigid and humiliating are the terms which the
United States offers Austria Hungary as the price
iof continued friendship. The government of Aus.
tria-Hungary must confess and plead that the sink
ing OF the Ancona with the loss of American lives
was not its act but the unauthorized illegal and
indefensibe act of one OF its naval officers whom
it must punish; and it must make reparaton by the
payment of an indemnity for the citizens of the
United States who were killed or injured. Unless
compliance with all these demands is promptly
promised the United States Embassy will be with
drawn from Vienna and friendly relations between
the two governments will be terminated That is
plainly the only Interpretation possible of the note
Of Secretary of State Lansing in the hands
of the Vienna government. Vienna is left no
choice; tho minimum of what will be acceptable to
this government is set forth. Austria-Hungary
may not avow the sinking OF the Aneona as her
own act and retain friendship. no matter what
explanation or reparation she may offer, IL we read
Alright Secretary Lansing's ultimat,im for that is
what it amounts to in all bst failure to set
timc limit for compliance. We prefer to regard
the outrage as the unauthorized act of naval
officer and this preference appears to serve not
only a concession to Austria Hungary. but as
the only basis upon which willing to deal
with tho case diplomatically at all.
The note is free of language" it contains not
a single high sounding phrase. such as adorned
our communications to Germany, but which were
proven in the end to be meaningless. 1t is blunt,
unpublished to the point of clumsiness. though its
meaning is clear to the schoolboy 1t sets up as
facts the information which this gov
Fl nmcnt has been able to obtain from sources OF
It's and>is pleased to regard the public state
nent OF the Austro- Hungarian government as prac-
ically confirming them. 1t ignores or sweeps
aside all technical considerations and takes the
ground that Austria Hungary must, or should,
nave adopted for her own guidance the declaration
,y the United States Of its attitude toward savage
methods of underses warfare sent to Germany, ally
IF Austria Hungary
Every reader of the note will be impressed with
he difference between it and the Lustania COM |
nuncatious. There is no rhetorical discussion of
he rights of humanity, but merely plain indict-
nent for the murder of Americans, for outrage |
gainst the United States committed through the
nstrumentality Of Austria Hungary, and state
nent of the things which Austria Hungary must I
10 unless it desires the relations between the two
Countries to become hostile in place of friendly.
'he note marks complete change in the style of
ur diplomacy in dealing with nations that have
ommitted acts of against US. for which
americans will be devoutly thankful.
No one need expect immediate compliance with
ur demands by Vienna. In any event attempts
will be made to convince that some of our
remises arc wrong and unacceptable proffers will
c made. Vienna may even decide to risk the
everance of diplomatic relations, which arc of no
reat importance in view of the disclosures of re-
ent months and the recall of DR.. Dumba; though
is inconceivable that the chance of technical
tate of war will be invited if the prospect of
ctive hostilities between the two countries is r1
tote.
In the position it has taken the Washington
overnment is assured of the hearty approval of
lie people generally. and whatever the outcome
icy will be prepared for it. 1t will be surprising
deed, if this long delayed ultimatum to those
no have dehantly set our rights at naught, this
awakening of the American spirit in Washington t
ills to inspire nationwide enthusiasm and re- ,
ly