Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-12-16
Text of Note.


Washington, Dec. 12.-The text of the
note which was handed to the Austrian
foreign office Thursday by Ambassador
Penfield follows:
Please deliver a note to the minister of
foreign affairs, textually as follows:
Reliable information obtained from
American and other survivors who were
passengers on the steamship Ancona
shows that on November Z a submarine
flying the Austro-Hungarian flag fired a
solid shot toward the steamship so that
thereupon the Ancona attempted to es-
cae but being overhauled by the subma-
rine she stopped; that after a brief period
and before the crew and passengers were
all able to take to the boats the subma-
rine fired a number of shells al the vessel
and finally torpedoed and sank her while
there were yet many persons on board;
and that by Gunfire and laundering of the
vessel a large number of persons lost their
lives and were seriously injured among
whom were citizens Of the United States.
The public statement of the Austro-
Hungarian admiralty has been brought to
the attention of the government Of the
United States and received careful con-
sideration. This statement substantially
confirms the principal declaration of the
survivors. as it admits that the Ancona
after being shclled was torpedoed and
sunk while persons were still on board.
"The Austro-Huncarian government
has been advised. through the corrc-
%spondence which has passed between the
United States and Germany, of the atti-
tude of the government of the United
States as to the use of submarines in
attacking vessels of commerce., and the
acquiescence of Germany in that atti-
tude, yet with full knowledge on the
part of the Austro-HunEarian govern
ment Of the views of the government
Of the United States as expressed in no
uncertain terms to the ally of Austria
Hungary, the commander of the sub
marine which attacked the Ancona failed
to put in a place of safety the crew
and passengers of the vessel which they
purposed to destroy because, IL is pre-
sumed. of the iInpossibility Of taking 1t
into port as a prize of war.
VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL LAW.
The government of the United states
considers that the commander violated
the principles of international law and
Of humanity by Smelling and torpedoing
the Ancona before the persons on board
had been put in a place of safety or
even given sufficient time to leave the
vessel. The conduct of the commander
can only. he characterized as wanton
slaughter of defenselcss non-combatants,
since a. the time when the vessel was
shelled and ~torpedoed, he was not, 1t
appears. resisting or attempting to es-
capeis and no other reason is sufficient
to excuse such an attack, not even the
possibility of rescue.
THE government of the United States
is forced, therefore. to conclude either
that the commander of the submarine
acted in violation of his instructions OF
that the imperial and royal government
failed to issue instructions to the com
handlers of its submarines in accord
ance with the law Of nations and the
principles Of humanity. The government
Of the United States is unwilling to be
lieve the latter alternative and to credit
} the Austro-Hungarian government witt
an intention to permit it's submarines IL
destroy the lives of helpless men, womel
5 and children. 1t prefers to believe tina
the commander of the submarine com
mitted this outrage without authority
and contrary to the general or specia
instructions which he had received.
; ASKS FOR DISAVOWAI"
"As tho good relations of the two coun
tries must rest upon a common REGARD
:, for law and humanity. and the govern
ment of the United States cannot he ex
pected to do otherwise than to deman
a.. that the imperial and royal government
denouncc the sinking of the Ancona a
, an illegal and indefensible act; that III
officer who perpetrated the deed b
punished; and that PREPARATION by tn
payment of an indemnity be made 70
the citizens of the United States VIII
were killed or injured by the attack OF
the vessel.
n The government of the United State
!, expects that the ro-Hungarian gov
eminent, approaching the gravity OF tn
n case. will acccdc to It's demands prompt
I ly; and 1t rests this expectation on tn
I belief that the Austro-Hungarian govern
ment will not sanction or defend an &C
: which is condemned by the world a
S inhumane and barbarous, which
d abhorrent to all civilized nations. an
n which has caused the death of innocer
Americans.
LANSING"