The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-11


ment. 70 Austria on the question OF
submarine warfare seems to indicate,
unless both Austria and Germany meet
fully ANA without reservation the de-
mauds OF the Omitted states. there is
strong ltkllhcod that diplomatic rela-
ions VIII he terminated.
From Austria the American govern
inent expects and demands a disavowai
OF the attack on the Italian liner An
coma. which resulted In the killing of
IL score Of American citizens; repara-
tom punishment of the submarine Of
hcer responsible, and assurances TINT
hereafter she viii conduct her under
sea warfare according TO the rules of
humanity and international law.
From Germany this government ex
pects but has not only partially OBJ
tanned "A similar degree of satisfaction.
While Germany processes to have ahan-
doned wanton attacks on passenger
ships. and to have given strict orders
to her, submarine commanders not to
attack such vessels without warning
and without giving opportunity for
their passengers to escape, she has
not rendered "a ga tssfaetory accounting
for the sinking of the Lusitannia and
has not met the demands of the United
States for assurances that she Will
mol beEaT0 Inc Casting IoOke Vi phs-
sengers in open lifsboats at sea "A
proper precautton for their safety.
A Near ttimntum.
Persons who have examined the motto
to Austria declare IL TO, be as near
an ultlmatum as any communication
delivered by this government to a
-hel4igerent power since the war In
I Europe began. Prepared il was
( with full appreciation OF the strained
relations already existing between the
two countries over the recall of AM
bassador DuInba and the limitations
of the Department of Justice against
/ Dr. vou 'Duher. the Austrian consul
/ general at New York. II s said to be
( DRASTIC in tone TO those in Vienna
il is declared The communication will
appear 70 have been. written BY a
mailed first rather than by the gioved
hand of diplomat.
with official reports reaching the
state Department today from Roms
and TripolI tending to show that still
another American steamer has beer
attacked and probably sunk by ar
Austrian submarine. and with evidence
10 show that the submarine which at
tackled the Ancona fired with cold
blooded disregard on the lfeboats II
which the passengers were trying Il
escape, the American government ap
pears determined to have an under
standing with Austria before there
. tragedy.
Austria Kept silent.
| Thus far Austria has never shown
her hand in this respect While ii il
believed that vienna and Berlin hat
heads together when the German am
bassador was instructed TO inform Sec
rotary Lansing that German sub
marines would henceforth obey TN
rules of civilized marine warfare. Aus
trta herself kept silent. Only recent
lly have the Austrian submarines played
. any prominent part In naval opera
lions The attack on the Ancona which
heralaed their entry into the Mediter
>, fsneaIs, appears ,troHn~what the -Ameri
can government has learned to hav'
been marked by a complete disregard
of the principles in behalf OF which
the United States nearly broke with
Germany. Although given three week.
In which to answer pertinent inquirfel
OF the United States as to the oircum
! stances OF the attack. Austria hal
failed to respond, and has merely
) asked Tor more time. As IN the mean
, time two American oil tankers arr
J fkown 70 have been attacked under
= circumstances which have left the fat'
, OF at least one of them shrouded il
mystery.
= And while this situation has beer
! developing with respect to Austria
ne go tiafiona between the United States
z and Germany over the Lusitanis settle
ment have Jagged and deadlocked
From the Anne rican standpoint settle
nent Of this controversy Is all i'm
, portant In its bearing on the question
Il OF submarine warfare. Going beyont
the mere question OF whether or no
Germany should make reparatlon TO
the lis American lives snuffed out
the sine qua non or the United States
. liz that Germany, by express words
shall admit that she had not right Il
make the attack. Germany's reply Il
, this demand, through the informal ne
. gotiat}ons of Count Won Bernstorff, hai
, been that the United States should h'
satisfied with the knowledge that Ger
many's rules 10 her submarine com
mnnders have been changed to NEE
the demands OF the United States ant
that because OF these changes Germany
has found il impraoticahle TO resume
her submarine operations To th'
United states this isrnot sufficient. Tn
, less Germany admits that the ruler
which she was following when thu
Yueitanla was attacked were illega
rules. the state Department feels tina
IL will have no guarantee that Germany
. will not at such time as may suit hel
convenience abandon the modified rule!
and GO back to The lawiess one.