Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-11
u S. MAY BREAK
WITH AUSTRIA
Rupture Believed Certain
Unless. Ancona Sinking
Is Disavowed
GERMANY TO RECALL
.oust:ng of German Consul General
Won Nuber is Practically Deter.
mined Upon by Wilson.

Washington, Dec. 1l-Deveiop'
ments of the utmost Importance IN
the relations of the United States
with Austria and Germany are occur
ring.
Ominous intimations were given
by high Administration officials that
diplomatic relations with Austria will
be broken off unless the attack on
the italian steamship ADcona, in
which several Americans were lost,
is disavowed and provisions made Tor
the payment of indemnity.
The situation is tense and fraught
with possibilities. 1t is compared to
the last days of the Arabic negotia-
tions with Germany when probably
no one but President Wilson himself
knew how close the country YVES to
a severance of diplomatic gslstions
with Berlin.
Semi officially also it was stated
positively that the United States had
decided to cancel the exequaturs OF
Alexander Nuber Won Pereked. Aus
trian Consul General in New York,
and several other Austrian consuis
for their connection with activities
against the American munitions In
dustries. 9
Still another menace to the rela-
tions between this country and Aus
tina was the receipt OF an ohseiai re-
port which placed the responsibility
for the attack by a submarine on
the Standard Oil steamer Petrolite
in the Mediterranean on Austria.
Secretary Lansing made the an
nouncement that Germany had re-
called Captains Boy-Ed and Won Pa
pen, as requested by this govern
ment. He said:
"The German Ambassador has IN
formed me that the Emperor mas
been pleased to recall Captains Won
Papen and Boy-Ed in compliance
with the wishes Of the United States" ;"
Count Won Bernstorff called at the
State Department late yesterday
afternoon. He was with secretary
Lansing but few minutes. He would
say nothing when he left the depart
ment. Mr.. Lansing made his an
.nouncement shortly after Count Won
Bernstorff departed.
Later it was stated that the Ger
msn Ambassador had; requested fhat
the United States obtain: safe con
duct fol: the two officers to return: to
Germany: He was assured that This
would be done. He also made tine re-
quest that this Government Obtain
safe conduct for, successors OF Gap
tains Boy-Ed and Won, Papen to come:
to this country. 1t is understood that
he was told that this would be done
when the successors are designated.
The official report on the subma-
rine attack on the. Standard Oil tan
ker Pctrolite, flying the American
flag, was received from American
Consul Mason at ;Algiers.
At the same time the State De-
partment was advised by ,Amoassa-
dor Page at Rome that three Italian
vessels were searching the Mediter-
ranean for survivors of wrecKage of
the American: steamer Comnunfpaw,
reported 5sunk by a submarine. Am
bassador Page advised the depart
ment, however, that rumors were pre-
valent in Rome that the Communi-
paw was not sunk. but was carried
off for her cargo.
The State Department made public
the following statement on the Petro-
lite case:
1.-The State Department has receiv-
ed a cablegram from the American
Consul at. Algers stating that the
American steamer Petrolite arrived
at Algiers at a. m, December 10
The: captain reports the vessel wa:
attacked. 49, hours. from Alexandra
by:.a Submarine flying the Austrian
flag. One seaman was wounded b,
shell. After an examination of pa
pers and iorcibly taking provisions
the vessel was allowed to proessd.