New Britain herald., 1915-12-15
Weak in One Point.

Weak in One Point.
 Vienna, Dec. 15.-The Amereican note to Austria Hungary concerning the sinking of the Italian steamer An ! coma is regarded here as weak in one important point, which may deprive the note in general of it's foundation.
 This concerns the standpoint taken 1 that the Austro Hungarian govern ment should be familiar with the at- titude Of the American governme lent regarding the freedom of the seas 1 because President Wilson had ex- 1 pIained this to the German govern ment, thus implying that Austria, as Germany's ally, should be acquainted with the principles laid down and de- sired by Washington.
 Only Through Newspapers. Against this stand of Washington the objection is raised in responsible quarters here that the government has knowledge of the negotiations in the Lusitania case only through the newspapers; that it could give to these reports no diplomatic value and that it has not concerned itself in any way with the Lusftana case.
 It is pointed out by the same thority that the American government Gan scarcely demand that the inn perial and royal government base it's policy upon newspaper reports and it is suggested that in any case it would have been better if Washing ton at the same time had cOmmuni- cated the memorandum of it's stand point to all belligerent governments ir which case the present note would seem justified.
 Tinted Threats
 Berlin, Dec. IS, via London, II a. m. Count Ernest Von Reventlow in an article in the Tages Zeitung says the note sent by the United States to Austria regarding the Ancona case is characterized by a tone of curt com mand and hinted threats, and contains opinions, judgements and demands of specific and most harsh character
 He regards the treatment in the note of the circumstances of the case as quite superficial and even contra dictory.
 a~ Ignores Austrian Account
 The note, in addition. he says, ig- nores the official Austrian description of the circumstances.
 The true explanation of this is, therefore, that the note is political rather than an attempt to retreat the case objectively, declares the count.
 Comment From Berlin.
 The text of the American note to Austria Hungary on the Ancona was published in the Berlin newspapers. The "Lokal Anzeiger," the 'Tageblatt'' the "Vossische zeitung," and other
 
 comment which might be regarded Only the "Kreuz Zeitung'' and the discussion of the document. The s'Kreuse Zeitung' says:
 'The language of the note is re- markable. The Ancona through it's attempt at flight, had, even in ac- cordance with the stand earlier taken by the United States, forfeited every right to consideration and it was for the commander of the submarine to decide whether to sink the steamer by artillery fire or torpedo her. The United States, can, therefore, hold as responsible for the loss of life only the captain of the Ancona, who did not obey the submarines orders or rather those upon whose instructions he so acted. The cabinet at Vienna i will, therefore, probably reject the claims of America as directed to the wrong address, ]
 The Post after commenting on l American celerity in sending the note l as contrasted with weeks and in the | case of the British blockade note even 1 months, of decay in inaugurating | negotiations with other governments, l says: 1
 Playing For Election.
 "The reason for the acceleration l may perhaps be sought in the fact | that congress is now in session and l President Wilson with a new presiden tial campaign at hand wishes to i garner as much success as possible for | his policy.
 The "Zeitung am Mittag." discuss ing the Ancona note, finds the Ameri- can version of the facts materially divergent from the Austrian official report The paper thinks it remark able that the United States govern ment "has not given a more careful examination to the facts before seek
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