New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
Officer Did Duty, Says
Admiralty, Opposing
DiSaVOWal.
NOTE CALLED
OPEN INSULT
High Functionary Charges
u. S. Has Harried Dual
Monarchy.

Vienna, Dec. IA Thy courier to
Berlin via London, Dec. 5).-The
Austro-Hungarian Admiralty is en-
tirely opposed to any disavowal of
the course of the submarine COM
mander VINO was responsible for the
sinking of the Italian steamer An
coma. On the contrary, it approves
his conduct fully, and declares that
he would have been considered as
having failed to perform his duty ii
he had allowed the Ancona TO es-
cape.
The reply TO the American note,
it is understood, will be delivered
soon, possibly Wednesday. The cor
respondent Of The Associated Press
has not been able to obtain a fore
east of the terms Of the reply, but
all indications are that a pessimistic
view of the situation is justified.
Commander Did His Duty.
The Admiralty to-day stated its
case and the attitude Of the naval
authorities as follows:
1T is a submarine commanders
duty to make a report to a desig-
mated base as soon as possible, and
the commander who sank the An
coma did this as soon as he was
within wireless distance of land. He
made a supplementary report at
Pola, and accompanied it with his
log. No examination of the crew
was held because the commanders
report was considered complete and
there was no reason to suppose that
the crew could add anything thereto.
$50 far as the commander is con-
cerned, his course is clear. The Ad-
miralty has received his report and
sees no reason TO find any fault with
his course Of action.
"If any such reason existed, that is, II
the Admiralty had found that the COM
mander had done anything contrary to
his instructions, it would spontaneously
institute an investigation against him
without waiting for any demand TO
come from some foreign government. IL
can happen that a commander, in heat
of battle, acts contrary TO instructions.
but nothing Of the kind has occurred
In this case.
Submarine In Double Danger.
at appears clearly from his report
that his ship was in danger; indeed, In
double danger; first, from the fact that
an enemy boat was approaching on a
line that threatened to cut off his re-
treat, and the enemy ship and the An
coma could have established his radius /
of action and could have set torpedo
boat Hotila on him; and. second, there /
wss danger Of the Ancona escaping,
which, according TO his instructions.
was TO be prevented in all eircum-
starcs- Hence. the conduct OF the
commander, much as the loss OF inno-
cent lives must be regretted and de-
plored, cannot be disapproved. /
"On the contrary, if he had departed
without destroying the Ancona 1t would
have been failure 70 do his duty, since
the Ancona could have notified other
ships of his whereabouts; The loss OF
American lives is regrettable, as well as
that Americans used vessel belonging
TO a nation at war with Austria-Hun-
gary"
Fleet Her Favored Child.
A naval writer and expert said to The
Associated Press correspondent in
discussion of the demands OF the Amer
lean note:
"It should be remembered that Aus
tria's feet is her fayorite child. Its
honor and prestige are treasured TO the
highest degree. The government might
possibly yield points in matter aHect-
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