Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-30
OPINION Bl AuTH0RITi
OF STATE. DEPARTMENT.

Discussing the case. an authority OF
tht state D"partmcn, expressed this
opinion:
If Austria in her reply suggests
arbitration, the United states viii re-
ply 10 this specific propositions before
" brings new element into the case
/ ain in favor OF arbitratiou because
iu tn" absence of an international
tribunal. each must he considerable OF
The Others views. This is particularly
true IN tho .tncona ease. in which there
- difference of construction Of both
the law and facts
IF Austria does not suggest arbitra-
non ana meet the demands of this
country. the other questions can lie
settled by diplomatic interchanges
The United states Will not break
OFF diplomatic relations with Austria
II any concessions are made that viii
settle the main point. which is that
Austria shaIl subscribe to the prin
riples governing submarine warfare as
agreed 10 by Germany. The important
thing for the Cuitcd States 10 get is
the direct a assurances from Austria thai
American lives in the future will not
be placed in jeopardy. ANA that rcpara-
tion VIII be made for the harm already
done
II do not think that the people of
the United states would support the
PRESIDENT ia breaking off relations with
Austria Just because .NiStria refused
10 diSav"w an act i, held legally iuyiin
able from it's own standpoint. and
pInish Il commander who Was prob,bly
complying with his governments
orders.
Ia support OF this view. II was
pointed out to-day that the United
states j. Interested in bringing about
a COMPROMISE. ii possible because il
Is "uiy III this way that it viii bc
able TO obtain assurances for The safety
OF American citizens in the future In
case of Il break. il was said. il would
have no restrictions Whatever on Aus
,ria regarding submarine warfare. and
consequently Americans probably would
be IN danger wherever Austrian sub
marines were operating.
No WORD CONtE;IiNiNt.
NATURE pE REPLY
Ii was stated officially to-day that
40 word had been received from any
source which warrants the belief t.at
the position taken by Austri. will be
followed by a break officials said that
their only information regarding the
nature of the Austrian "eply has como
from press dispatches II was re-
iteratrd. however that tho department
has received dispatch from Anbas-
sador rcnneld at Vienna giving his
own opinion that Austria is in a
friendly mood and dcsirouS of present
ing arguments
Some officials think the note will re-
veal that Austria's submarine comnan-
dcrS were given general instructions
as TO the necessity for warning yes
sells and providing for the safety of
passengers. In their opinion. AuStria's s
defense so far was that the Anco.a
WAS allowed ninety minutes for the
passengers and crew TO take to the
boats. This would Indicate. they say,
that Austria had instructed her sub
marine commanders according to he
terms Of the United States note 10
Germany. they predict that Austria
viii find no difficulty in saying. in her
reply. that she accepts the view that
warning must be given and provision
made for the safety OF all on board.
with the proviso. which the United
States itself accepts that the vessel,
when warned. must not attempt to
escape or resist.
me opinion Is expressed IN German
Austrian diplomatic circles that The
question of u break between the two
governments rests entirely with the
administration. 1t is held also that
the only difference between the Ancona
and I.usitana cases is that Germany.
in the latter case. notified the United
States Of the danger that might he en-
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