Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-12-09
FOREIGN POLICY
REVERSAL SEEN
IN ANCONA NOTE
Demand for Austrian Disavowal
and Future Assurances Is
Called Rigid Step.
MORE VIGOROUS LANGUAGE
THAN IN GERMAN EXCHANGE
Interpreted to Mean U. S. Has
Lost Patience With Delay
in Settling Dispute.

WASHINGTON, Dec. "A new
American policy of prompt action in
the matter of submarine outrages was
indicated today. The demand on
Austria concerning the sinking of the
Italian liner Aneona was taken TO
mean the administration has resolved
against delay in settlement.
Long waits like those occurring
with Germany over the Lusitania and
Arabic cases, will be avoided, it is
expected. by the prompt dispatch of
the note to Austria demanding dis
avowal of the Ancona's sinking, rep
sration for American lives lost, as
surances against repetition of the act
ana punishment for the submarines
commander.
The note, declared to be in firm.
plain terms, was sent without waiting
for the final report from the Austrian
admiralty.
The Ancona was sunk just one
month ago today and the administra-
tion believes sufficient time for an
explanation has elapsed. Resentment
over dismissal of former Ambassador
Dumba, officials admitted today, may
add to difficulties of securing a settle
ment. The note was said to include
a demand for general assurances re-
garding conduct Of future undersea
warfare by Austria. SheIling of the
Anconas Iifeboats while passengers
were disembarkins-p practically ac-
cepted now as proved-was stated to
be one of the strongest points Of pro-
test.
Reply TO Develop Dispute.
The Austrian reply is expected to
develop a dispute on the point how
ever. Austria has insisted the Ancona
attempted to escape and that panie.
and not shellingy caused the loss IF
life 1t was reported today that the
state department has undisclosed in
| formation from American sources
convincing officials that the vessel
was shelled almost from the time the
submarine appeared until the Ane0na
sunk.
The American note is said to ex-
press belief that the submarine COM
nnander violated orders, and inquiries
I from Austria what general instruc-
! fions have been given regarding her
! submersibles' recognition Of inter-
national law Attention is called 70
the principles insisted upon in
negotiations with Germany and decla-
ration made that the same assurances
will be required from Austria.
In view of the stttlement reached
with Germany. officials today ex-
pressed hope for q similar conclusion
With Austria, possibly upon counsel
! from Germany.
That the administration is prepared
to go to the limit in pressing the de-
| mands upon Austria. even to the ex-
tent of a possible breach in diplomatic
relations, was emphatically denied.
/ Publication OF the note here will fol-
| low word from Ambassador Penfield,
expected today. of its delivery at
Vienna.
The Ancona Was sunk in the Medi-
terranean on November 8 while bound
/ from Naples for New York. The only
/ testimony of a native American
survivor before the department is IN a
/ deposition by DIR. Cecile Greil, OF New
! work. which asserts specifically that
/ the liner was torpedoed while the
men. women and children in the cabin
and steerage were scrambling to get
! into the small boats. The department
/ has been inclined not to accept this
single statement as positive proof url-
i less corroboration was received from
some source.
Much weight was given, however, 10
/ what DIR. Greil had to say. Her testi-
| mony was considered of SO much inn
portance that she was taken to Rome,
where she told her story to Am
bassador Page.
After the inquiry of the United
| States had been before the Vienna
foreign Office several days Ambassador
Penheld reported that more time was
desired to frame a reply. Late last
week Secretary Lansing instructed