New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-22
ZWiedinek Calls On LanS-
ing in First Move Tow
ard an Agreement.
WILSON WILLING
TO ALLOW DELAY
Vienna Can Have Fortnight or
More to Let Popular Indig-
nation Cool.
From The Tribune Bureau. J

Washington, Dec. 21.--Austris will
not be pressed for answer to the second
Ancons note. A delay OF two or, per-
haps, OF three weeks would be looked
on with equanimity by this government.
This impression was given to-day in
administration circles, where, although
1t is still insisted that the United
States is ready to race a break with
Austria rather than back down. it was
expressly stated that the blame for
such an outcome must rest on Austria
alone, and that the State Department
would proceed with all patience to
avoid any suspicion OF aggression.
The hope here Is that the longer
Austria reflects on the subject the
more auspicious will the circumstances
become for a favorable answer. Popu-
lar Indignation will presumably have
subsidized in a week or two 10 a point
where its influence on the Foreign Of
flee will be less predominant. and Aus
trisn officisldom itself. it is hoped, will
be impressed more and more with the
disadvantages Of a break with the
United States.
Baron Erich Zwiedinek, charge OF
the Austro- Hungarian Embassy. is con-
Quoting or forming basis to conduct
informal negotiations with Secretary
Lansing looking toward an amicable
settlement Of the controversy. An init
nation to that effect was received Mt
the State Department to-day after the
charge had conferred at soma length
with the Secretary.
Repeats German Move.
Baron Zwiedinek, it is understood, is
attempting negotiations similar to
those conducted by Count Won Bern
storff following the sinking of the
Arabic. 1t is considered improbable,
however, that such negotiations can
develop to an important STAGE until
after receipt of the next formal COM
munication from Austria-H Hungary.
Just what authority Baron Zwicdinek
has been given by his government has
not been made known. II was recalled
to-day that relations between the Unit
ed States and Germany were serious
ly strained, when the German Ambas-
sador was given virtually free hand
to conduct the negotiations. In some
official quarters the belief prevails that
it was the negotiations conducted by
Count Won Bernstorff which prevented
the situation from becoming more seri-
Gus.
Baron Zwledinek is now in virtually
the same position as the German Am
bassador then found himself. 1t is con-
sidered that with knowledge OF
American views and the advantages of
personal contact with United States Of
fcials. the baron might be able TO ac-
complish more than could result from
exchange of diplomatic communica-
tions. The charge is known to have
word of some sort from his home gov
eminent. 1t is known also that his at
tention was called to the reply which
was made to the first American note.
Delay Would be Welcomed.
Neither Secretary Lansing nor Baron
Zwiedinek would discuss their confer
ence to-day, it having been agreed that
beyond allowing it to be known that the
Ancoha case was under discussion, the
matter should be regarded as conf
Dental.
That delay in answering would be
welcome to this government is easily
understood. President Wilson expects
to be gone from Washington until after
New Years and State Department of
Gals will be absent in great numbers
over the holidays. An abrupt and un-
satisfactory note from Austria would
play havoc with the plans of the whole
administration and would necessitate
hasty mobilization for counsel.
Ii was learned to-day that the Presi-
dent, In his final revision Of Sundays
note just before his wedding, made
several important departures from the
draft prepared by Secretary Lansing,
all the changes being for the purpose
of avoiding any seeming aggressive
ness or attempt at coercion.
Agreement on Lusitania