The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-11
NOTE TO AUSTRIA STRONGEST
YET SENT TO A BELLICERENT

her submarine commanders have been
changed to meet the demands Of the
United States and that because OF these
changes Germany has found II impracti-
tions.
To the United States this is not suf-
fcient. Unless Germany admits that tho
rules which she was following when the
Lusitania was attacked were illegal
rules the State Department feels that Il
will have no guarantee that Germany
will not at such time as may suit her
convenience abandon the modified rules
and go back to the lawless ones.
The situation from this standpoint 10
critical. With Austria and Germany
both IN strained relationship toward the
United States-Austria because Of Dunn
ba's recall and the imputations against
Won Nuber; Germany because of the
recall of her military and naval attaches
the American Government has never
theless seen ht to stiffen its attitude.
And while this new policy is shaping
up with respect to the question of sub
marine warfare there is strong reason
to believe that President Wilson has
found, to an extent at least, the means
to crush out" the foreign conspracies
in this country.
As incidental to the criminal pro
ceedinRs to be brought against Ameri-
can citizens of foreign birth who have
been engaged in these plots II is under
stood that the Administration has prac-
tically determined to get rid of Consult
General Won Nuber at New York. and
other Austrian and German consular
officers.
That such action, following the recall
of Capts. BoyEd and Won Papen Of the
German Embassy staff. will constitute .
signal warning to foreign representa-
tives in this country Is said TO be the
end that is hoped for. And there is no
indication that these plans will he modi-
fled because of the critical situation al
ready developed.
sim III Doubt.
That the American steamer communi.
paw may still have been sunk by an
Austrian submarine or captured is tho
belief forced on State Department Off
cials to-day by the receipt of advices
from Rome and Tripoli. The despatch
from Ambassador Thomas Nelson Page
at Rome was paraphrased AS follows In
IA bulletin given out at the State De
partment late this afternoon:
The Foreign Office informed the Am
bassador that the comma nder of the
Como, presumed to be an Italian war;
ship. reported that an American ship,
which he believed to have been sunk
had sent a wireless me ssage IL - r."
which means Communipaw that lie
believes the Pantar "a Greek warship)
had been sent out at the request OF
the American Minister at Athens 10
search for survivors Of the American
ship reported sunk that he inquired
OF the Misurata Italian warship) for
information recarding survivors but II
replied that II knew nothing about
them; that the Msurata. Orsa and
Pantar agreed to explore the Mediter-
rarean In different directions, at the
same time maintaining wireless com
munication; that on December 8 the
Pantar reported no news
The Ambassador states that il Is
rumored that some hold a suspicion
that the Communipaw was carried off
for her cargo instead Of being sunk.
but that she had not arrived at Alex
andria.
The Department received cablegram
to-day from United States Consul Dorsey
at Tripoli stating that on December 6
he received n telegram from a source
not given stating that an American
steamer. Name not clear had been
sunk near Tobruk thar an italian war
ship was searching for her. and that
the Governor of Tripoli had made in
quiries OF the authorities AT Tobruk for
any Information concerning survivors.