New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-09
Demands More Rigid
Than Those Put
to Germany.
BERLIN REPLIES
TO FRYE NOTE
Answer, Capital Hears,
Refuses Guarantee for
Places of Safety.
trrcm rhs rriouns Buresu.l

washington, Dec. Cine iHose
drastic note yet sent by the State
Department 70 the Teutonic allies
was dispatched TO Ambassador Pen
field last night for presentation TO
tie Austrian government. TIE
United States demands immediate
and complete satisfaction for tho
violation Of American sea rights by
the Austrian submarine which sank
the Italian liner Ancona.
The demands include:
Disavowal by Austria-Hungary OF
the attack on the Ancona.
Assurances that American rights
under international law will be re-
spected in the future.
Indemnity for American losses.
Punishment OF the commander OF
the submarine.
This action followed yesterdays
Cabinet session and was taken with
out waiting for the reply TO the
State Departments request for fur
ther elucidation Of the official Aus
trian explanation Of the tragedy.
The evidence collected by the de-
partment it is declared, is so con
elusive that nothing Austria may
say in extenuation will be consid-
cred.
Hitherto the notes to the Teutonic
allies have been expressed in Ian
guage which emphasized the desire
of the United States not 10 break of
relations with the offending nation.
The document sent yesterday is
distinct departure, and, according to
officials who are usually well in
formed, is by far the most vigorous
statement yet dispatched to Ger
many or Austria-Hungary.
Vienna Asked Delay.
The Ancona was tOrpedoed a few
hours out Of Naples on November
8. On November 16 the State De-
partment, after receiving the Aus
TRAN and Italian official statements,
instructed Ambassador Penfeid TO
inquire of the Austrian government
as to several points in the explana-
ton. The object Of this communi-
cation was TO elicit a statement Of
Austrias stand on the question OF
safety for small boats. A message
from Vienna a few days later re
quested more time, owing to the
difficulties of communication with
the submarine"
The violation of international law
lies in the failure Of the submarine
commander TO provide for the safety
of the passengers before torpedoing
the vessel. Not only were they left
to the mercy Of the seas in small
boats" which this government does
not consider "places Of safety" with
in the meaning Of international law,
but many of them were still on the
Ancona when she sank.
These facts are held to be sum-
Gent to justify the summary pro-
cedure. Of the State Department
without inquiring into the still
doubtful questions as TO whether the
Ancona was warned, and whether or
not the lifeboats containing sur
ylvors were shelled by the sub
marine.
Require Greater Grant.
Unless the Austrian government is
genuinely anxious 20 avoid a break
with the United States, there is appar-
emily no escape from such a culmina-
tion Of the affair. High officials say a
capitulation to the American demands
would involve far greater concessions
Lnhn berHduJ mas Hidocs as IL Wouiu
necessarily include the recognition Of
this governments views on life boats
as a place of safety for non-combat-
ants.
Germany has not recognized these
views. Thus far the question has
arisen only in the case OF the william
p. Frye, wherein the United States de-
manded an understanding on the point
before proceeding 10 arbitration.
Ambassador Gerard eabled the de.
partment to-day that he had received
Germany's answer, and was forward
ing it by mail Secretary Lansing
would not divulge the nature OF the
note as revealed in the ambasssoors
cabled summary, but it is understooi
the German government 10 not pre-
pared to make this concession.
Up 70 this time the Frye case has
not been considered Of major impor-
tanee. In view of the note to Aus
Continu~d on pare :, column