Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-09
NOTE SENT AUSTRIA
ON ANC0NA SINKING
Vienna Government Asked to
DisavoW Disaster in the
Mediterranean.
TONE is MORE EMPHATIC
THAN LUSITANIA PROTEST
Punishment of Submarine Command
er and Reparation for American
Lives Lost Are Requested.

Ambassador Penheld at Vienna
is expected to deliver today the
note from the United States ask
ing that the Austro-Hungarian
government disavow the subma
rine attack upon the Italian liner
Ancona, punish the submarine
commander, make reparation for
the American lives lost and give
assurances that there will be no
repetition OF such acts.
The note was started to Vienna
by cable Tuesday, and although
there has been no report OF its
receipt, it is supposed that it must
have reached Ambassador Pen
field last night or early today.
1t is said that while the COM
munication is couched in dlplo-
matte language, it is vigorous IN
tone and carries a protest more
emphatic than any OF the COM
munications sent to Germany toll
lowing the Lusitania disaster.
News of Note a Surprise.
News that the note had been sent came
as a complete surprise to official wash
ington generally, the report which ema-
mated from the State Department early
in the week being that no positive and
corroborated evidence as to what actually
had occurred when the Ancona went down
had been received. 1t was said that the
reports received were fragmentary. con-
fiicting or contradictory, and that until
reply to the inquiries submitted to Aus
tria-Hungary was received it was PROB
able that no communication would be
sent to Vienna
The belief prevails, however, that the
State Department has since received
answers of some sort to the queries. In
the inquiry Austria-Hungary was asked
whether a warning shot had been hred
before the ship was shelled. whether time
was given the passengers to get to a
place Of safety and whether any shots
were fired at the ship after she had come
to a standstilI and before the torpedo
that sank her was launched
Testimony of DR.. Greil.
The Ancona was sunk in the Mediter-
ranean sea November 9. while bound
from Naples for New York. The only
testimony of native American sur
vivor of the liner before the depart
ment Is in a deposition by DR.. Ceciie
Greil of New York In her deposition
DR. Greil asserts specifically that the
liner was torpedoed while the men.
women and children in the cabin and
steerage were rambling TO get INTO
the small boats. The department has
been inclined not to accept this single
statement as positive proof unless cor
roporatlon was received from some
source.
Just how many American lives were
definitely established. 1t is known that
several naturalized citizens were lost.
Reports on this point, however, have
been so conflicting that the State De-
partment never has been able to COM
pile an accurate list.
Violation Of Orders limited.
Secretary Lansing's note, it is under
stood, sets forth that the United States
cannot believe that the commanders of
Austrian submarines have committed
an alleged act of lawlessness except
under a Misrepresentation Of orders is
sued by the Austrian naval authorities.
It is declared that under methods OF
warfare such as those employed In the
sinking of the Ancona II Is practically
impossible, under such circumstances,
to remain within the rules OF fairness,
justice and humanity.
The principles of humanity and jus
tag
to Germany are understood to also be
called strongly to the attention OF the
Austro-H Hungarian government in this
communication. Warning before sub
marine attacks is insisted upon. While
every opportunity is said to be left for
an amicable reply, the belief prevails
in usually well informed official circles
that the communication is more Vlgor-
while the controversy with that coun-
try over the conduct OF submarine war
fare was in progress.
Conflict Of Testimony.
No .ntimation can be obtained as to
whether the United States had deter
mined whether any "misinformation"
appeared In the statements of the oc-
currence which have been issued by
the Austrian admiralty. The Austrian
contention was that warning shot
was ureQ, that tie snip tTleu TO ESCAPE
and that when che finally came to
stop. after being hit several times, fifty
minutes was given in which the pas
sengers might have taken to the boats.
At the end of that period 1t was
claimed another vessel approached. and
the submarine submerged and tor
pedoed the Ancona, which sank at the
end of another period of forty-five
minutes. 1t was denied that any life
boats were fred at, but it was said that
some of the loss of life was caused by
failure of the commander of the An
coma to act promptly.
The Italian statement on the subject
alleged that no warning was given be-
fore the submarine started Smelling the
ship, which Immediately came to a stop,
and that shells were exploded on the
decks of the vessel and in the life
boats. killing and wounding many pas
sengers-
On account of delays in cable com
munication between Washington and
Vienna it will be at least a week and
probably later before an answer can be
received.