Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-12-31
Text of Reply to the Second
American Paper Is Now
Before Translators.
COMMENT IS RESERVED
No Mention Made as to Ten
or of Document-Diplo-
matte Break Unlikely.

Washington, Dec. Sl.--The official
text of Austria's Ancona note was re-
ceived early today at the state depart
ment. Translating win take several
hours.
The reply came in sections. Secre-
tary Lansing said that one section had
been translated and that he expected
the complete translation would be In
his hands before night.
officials who had read the unofficial
version OF the reply received in press
dispatches from London apparently
were much gratifled at its nature. DAN
ger of a break of diplomatic rela-
tons with Austria-Hungary was no
longer considered imminent. Officials
said, however, that additional cores
pondence on the subject was sure to
ensue Secretary Lansing declined to
comment on the reply until he had the
complete official text.
Meet e. =. Demandss
Count Bernstorff, the German am
bassador, called at the state depart
ment and conferred with Secretary
Lansing nearly half an hour. The am
bassador said he believed the news
! summary of the note saying Austria
/ had punished the commander Of the
/ submarine which sank the Ancona and
! that the Vienna government had Offer
ed indemnity for the loss of life and
! injury of American citizens was cor
rect. He declined to comment on his
visit.
| Later, it was learned the German
view is that Austria-Hungary had
granted complete concessions to the
! American demands.
American demands on Austria-Hun-
| gary in connection with the destruc-
/ ton of the steamer Ancona apparently
have been met in the new note from
| Vienna to Washington.
More Correspondence Likely.
If the official text of Austria's reply
! to the second American note confirms
the press dispatches saying the COM
munieation announced that the subma-
rine commander who torpedoed the
! steamer had been punished, virtually
only one phase of the incident remains
to be cleared up. That would be the
payment of indemnity for American
lives lost, for which Austria, has ex-
pressed a willingness to make repara-
ton. Later however, there may be full
exchanges between the United States
ami Austria on the subject of subma-
rine warfare and the necessity for
warning before attacking merchants
men.
Act Disay0wed in Effect.
It was pointed out here that in pun
ishing the submarine commander for
failure to take into account the panic
prevailing aboard the Ancona before
torpedoing the vessel, the Austrian
government, in effect, disavowed the
act and gave assurances that there
would be no repetition OF such an in
cident
The official text of the note from
vienna Is expected to reach the state
department tonight. Ambassador Pen
field at Vienna reported that 1t had
been handed to him and that il would
be cabled as soon as it could be trans.
lated and coded. He gave no hint. how.
ever, as to its tenor.
England Joyous Over Austro Note.
London, Dec. 81, Q:10 p. m.)-Ths
Austrian reply to the United States an
pears in the afternoons newspaper,
under the heading Austria gives wav,
or similar words. The passages con
corning punishment of the commands
OF the submarine which sank the An
coma and the naturalization of Ameri
cans are featured In the headings
some of which characterize Austria,
statements in regard to the condrct q
: the Ancona's crew as "impudent - TIL
, early afternoon editions contain n,
; editorial comment.