The Oskaloosa herald., 1915-12-16
U. S. NOTE DEMANDS
AUSTRIA YIELD N
LINER ANCONA CASE
Vienna Is Warned of Break in Re-
lationS.
is LIKE AN ULTlMATUM
Most Emphatic Protest Of the War
Sinking of Vessel Condemned as
"Wanton slaughter"-Prompt
Reply Is Requested.

Washington, Dec l3.-It rests with
Austria to say whether there will be
a break with the United States within
the next few days.
The state department made public
the text of it's note to Austria on the
sinking Of the Italian steamship An
coma in the Mediterranean on Novem-
Der Z, with the loss of several Amer
lean lives.
The note gives plain notice that
unless the demands of the United
States are met promptly friendly re-
lations between the two governments
will be broken off.
Note Is Imperative.
It is the most imperative communi-
cation sent by the United States to
any government since the beginning
of the war, and one of the most severe
in diplomatic history.
The act of the submarine command
er in Smelling and later sinking the
vessel while there were persons on
board. as admitted by the Austrian
admiralty. is denounced as 'wanton
slaughter of defenseless noncombat-
ants" an outrage" and a violation of
the principles of international law
and humanity"
Act Is "Abhorrent."
Austria is informed that the world
condemns the act as 'inhumane and
barbarous," and that it is ''abhorrent
to all civilized nations"
The United States demands:
That the imperial and royal gov
eminent denounce the sinking OF the
Ancona as an illegal and indefensible
act;
That the officer who perpetrated
the deed be punished, and
That reparation by the payment
of an indemnity be made for the citi-
zens OF the United States who were
killed or injured by the attack on the
vessel"
The note says this government ex-
.ects that Austria, "appreciating the
gravity of the case, win accede to its
demand promptly"
Text of U. s. Note to Austria.
Washington, Dec 13.-Following is
the text of the note of the United
States to Austria on the Ancona case:
The Secretary OF State to Ambassa-
dor Penfeld.
Department of State, Washington,
Dec 6. 1915.
Please deliver a note to the minister
of foreign affairs, textually as fol-
lows:
Reliable information obtained from
American and other survivors who
were passengers on the steamship An
coma shows that on November a sub
marine, flying the Austro- Hungarian
flag, fired a solid shot toward the
steamship; that thereupon the Ancona
attempted to escape, but being over
hauled by the submarine. she stopped:
that after a brief period and before the
crew and passengers were all able to
take to the boats, the submarine fired
number of shells at the vessel and
finally torpedoed and sank her while
there were yet many persons on
board; and that by gunfire and foun-
dering of the vessel a large number
of persons lost their lives or were seri-
ously injured, among whom were citi-
zens of the United States.
The public statement of the Austro-
Hungarian admiralty has been brought
to the attention Of the government of
the United States and received careful
consideration. This statement substan-
TALLY confirms the principal declara-
ton OF the survivors, as it admits that
the Ancona after being shelled was
torpedoed and sunk while persons
were still on board.
The Austro-Hungarian government
has been advised, through the CORE
spondence which has passed between
the United States and Germany. of the
attitude OF the government of the Uni.
ted States as to the use OF submarines
in attacking vessels of commerce, and
the acquiescence Of Germany in that
attitude, yet with full knowledge on
the part OF the Austro- Hungarian gov
eminent of the views OF the govern
ment of the United States as expressed
IN no uncertain terms to the ally Of
Austria Hungary, the commander of
the submarine which attacked the An
coma failed to put in a place OF safety
the crew and passengers of the vessel,
which they purposed to destroy be-
cause, 1t is presumed, of the impos-
sibility Of taking it into port as a prize
OF war.
Claims Violation Of Law.
The government of the United
States considers that the commander
violated the principles of international
law and Of humanity by Smelling and
torpedoing the Ancona before the per-
sons on board had been put In a
place OF safety or even given sufficient
time to leave the vessel. The conduct
OF the commander can only be char
acterged as wanton slaughter of de-
fenseless noncom. batants. since at the
time when the weasel was shelled and
torpedoed she was not. 1t appears, re-
sisting or attempting TO escape and