New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-11
GRAVE SITUATION
SEEN BY CAPITAL
IN ANCONA CASE
Tension Increased by Re-
port That Americans
Were Lost on Liner.
Hmm Tie Tribune Bureau. !

Washington, Nov. 10.-A report from
Ambassador Thomas Nelson Page. al
Rome, received late this afternoon, that
at least twenty-seven Americans were
believed to have lost their lives when the
Italian steamer Arcona was torpedoed
in the Mediterranean, greatly increased
the tension caused here by the earlier
reports of the tragedy. The text of the
message was not given out, but state
ment from the State Department said
that Mr.. Page had transmitted report
that the following had been killed;
Alexander Patattivo, of New York,
his wife and four children.
Mrs. Frances Mascole Lamura.
Twenty-one third-class passengers;
no names given.
Mrs. Cecile l.. Greil (hrst reported
Grey, who was reported lost, was
saved.
An earlier dispatch from Jay White,
American Consul at Naples, had indi-
Gated the death of child OF Mrs.
Mamura's, or Lamurs's, as the name
was given.
The official American report from
the survivors is expected to come from
Dean B. Mason, Consul at Algeria. This
is about 500 miles from Bizerts, and
it is unlikely that he can get word
through for two or three days.
Government Awaits Details.
The administration is waiting def
mite information as TO the circum-
stances of the tragedy, and hoping that
it will be found no international law
was violated. The late press dis
patches, speaking Of gunfire, and thus,
indicating that the passenger snip mao
probably attempted to escape after
being warned BY the submarine
strengthened this hope. According to
the position taken by this government
in the notes to Germany, such action
by the steamer would Justify the sub
marines use Of the torpedo. In that
case this country would have no
grounds for protest or resentment.
1t Is believed that, unless some such
excuses for the submarines action de-
velop, the situation will be exceeding
grave. In the first place, Austria Will
not have even the excuses offered oy
Germany for attack without warning
on merchant vessels. She has declared
no war zone, such as Germany laid out
around the British Isles. she has an
nounced no policy Of reprisals, gwen
no warning to neutrals to avoid vessel
under the Allied flags, and in no way
given notice Of any intention to depar;
from the recognized rules Of warfare
which provide that the safety Of all
non-combatants shall be assured IN
case Of the seizure OF any vessel.
Austria Knows United States stand.
Moreover, this country must assume
that Austria has been fully informe-
Of the position taken In the German
controversy. Ambassador Dumba wa'
present at some Of the conferences be
tween Ambassador Bernstorf and Mr.
Bryan. end IL was In his line Of duty n
report 20 his government what TOOK
place there. In fact, IL is recalled that
the Austrian Ambassador was the mar
who, according 20 generally accepted
report here, was informed by Mr.
Bryan that the notes 20 Germany were
intended solely 20 influence American
politics. and that this government hnf
no intention Of living up 70 the strona
language used. Finally, as Germany,
ally, Austria cannot he supposed q
have remained ignorant Of the Amer.
can contentious and Germsny's iina
partial yielding 20 them.
For Austria 10 permit one OF hei
submarines 70 torpedo a passenger shir
almost certain 70 have Americans or
board would, II is admitted, be an ever
more serious afront 70 this country
than any Germany mas offered. II Is
suggested in some quarters that II
would even raise the question az e
how far Germany was involved in hsr
ally's acts.
II is believed here that N the facts
warrant action by this government, II
will begin much rs in the Lusitanif
case. with a note 70 Austria demand
ing reparation, disavowsl and guaran
tees for the future. Before any such
document IL drawn, however, full Yeri
fcation % tho facts from American Off
eial sources will be awaited n was dc
MED AZ the state Department 20 dny
that any reports from diplomatic OF
consular officers had yet been asked
N the facts are not cleared up within .
few days, however, a report will prob
ably be called for from Ambassador
Page, a. Rome. and from all consull
likely 10 have information Of the al