New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-17
Reply Backs U-Boat
Captain, Dutch Re-
ports Say.
ANSWER SENT
ON WEDNESDAY
Teuton ENJOYS Strive to
Avert Break-Capital
Sees Crisis.
vrm To Tdouns Bureau !

6snlnRCon, Dec' lo'-lH lhe A"SS
of Austris's fiat rejection of the
American demands, indicated by
press dispatches from Vienna, the
State Department to-day showed no
inclination to waver or hesitate. Ii
is apparent that Secretary Lansing
is willing and ready TO recall Am
bassador Penfeld and send Baron
Zwiedinek back TO Vienna.
The official text Of the note from
Austria has not yet been received at
the State Department, but officials
do not doubt that the press versions
are authentic. A message from AR.
bassador Penfeld, sent before ne re-
ceived the Austrian answer, reaches
the department to-day, and is under
stood TO forecast firm stand by
Austria.
Vienna, according TO Amsterdam
dispatches, demands proofs Of the
assertions made in the American
note, calls the charges against the
submarine commander mot at AL
sufficient" and denies either that
Austria is bound by, or that it had
substantial knowledge of, the princi-
pies asserted by the United States in
the Lusitania negotiations. The
Austrian government, it Is said, is
ready TO enter into an exchange OF
opinion with the American govern
ment-a discussion such as that still
pending with Berlin.
Wilson 20 Stay Near.
President Wilson has so arranged
plans for his wedding trip that he
will at no time be more than a few
hours journey from Washington.
In case Of a crisis it has been ar
ranged that Secretary Lansing will
go TO him for consultation.
Unless the official text proves far
different in tone and content from
the press versions, officials say that
an ultimatum will be dispatched inn
mediately to Vienna. calling for
complete compliance with the Amer
ican demands within a week, and
threatening a break in relations as
an alternative. One Cabinet officer
declared to-day that the President
was determined IN the present crisis
to stand by his note stiff as ram
rod"
Baron Zwiedinek Is understood TO
have received intimations to that ef-
feet in his two visits TO the State
Department. He had long confer
ence with Secretary Lansing this
morning, and again late In the after
noon, after reading the text Of the
note as published in the newspapers.
Officials Sec Break.
Hardly hope of continued friendly
relations with Austria is entertained
in informed circles here. Although IL
is known that the Teutonic representa-
tives, and particularly Ambassador Won
Bernstorff, are straining every effort
70 prevent break. the Austrian reply
leaves no loophole. IL Is impossible,
officials declare, for the Austrian gov
ernment to satisfy the United States
after adopting the attitude reflected in
the note as reported to-day.
The consequences OF such a break
have been carefully weighed. 1t 10 re-
allied in administration circles that /,
would make settlement OF the Lus-
tania controversy practically impossi-
bic, unless Germany's desire to pre-
serve friendly relations is far greater
than is generally believed II would
mako It practically imperative. also,
that a firm stand be taken with Ger
many. and would in all probability
force rupture.
Count Won Bernstorf's declaration
at the time Of the Arabic controversy
that break in relations would lead TO
war has also been taken into considera-
tion. The administration realizes fully
that il might be a matter Of . few
weeks at most before another passen-
ger ship would be attacked. and Ameri-
can lives sacrificed without a possi-
bility of diplomatic adjustment.
Ready for Final Step.
All these considerations have appAr-
entity had no weakening effect on tbs
President or his advisers. They are,
as far AS can be judged, as ready TO
take the last step as the irst
The President and Secretary Lansing
srs reserying comment until they have