Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1915-12-24
Vienna REJECTS
u. S. DEMANDS
Text Of Austria's Reply Sanl3
as That Published.
FEAR A BREAK IS LEAR

Secretary Lansing Says Meme of the
American Requirements in Ancona
Case Are Acceded to.
The official text of Austr:a-Hrn-
gary's rerly to the Uni-ed Staes'
note on the torpedoing CT the ltalial
ine steamship Ancona, propos n5
further communications on the sub
ect and specific allegations upon
which the American charges are
based has arrived in Wash.n3t n.
1t is virtually identical with the
unofficial text cabled to the United
States from London and publish
ed. Slight changes caused by Differ
ences in transmission exist, but the
meaning, in it's general sense, is the
same.
Secretary of State Lansing an
nounced that the Austrian reply did
not accede to any Of the American
demands. The meaning of the Aus
trian reply, Mr.. Lansing added, which
appeared to be somewhat vague IN
the unofficial version, was clear in the
translation of the original text. The
vagueness, the secretary thought, had
been due undoubtedly to the tran2la-
tion of the unofficial version. This
version, he thought it equally plain,
had been written by some one VINO
had perused the note. Further than
this Mr.. Lansing would not discuss
the reply.
After President Wilson and the cab
met had considered the reply 1t was
learned authoritatively that NO de-
cision had been reached as to the ma.
ture OF the second note which the
United States will send to Vienna. 1t
IS certain, however, that this note
will go forward almost Immediately.
The next note, it Is believed, will
lie more insistent in its demands than
the first. 1t will not, however, pre-
clude further diplomatic correspond
cnce between the two governments
should Austria-Hungary persist in the
course she apparently has determined
to pursue. The United States was
represented as desiring to afford Aus
tria-Hungary every opportunity to
continue diplomatic relations with
this country.
The cabinet conference developed
the following facts: First, the reply
fails to state position in any way
responsive to the American position.
Second, it was deemed ridiculous
that Austria should dispute the facts
as recited in the American note, as
that communication specifically set
forth that the facts had been CLEANED
from an official report of the Austrian
admiralty.
Third, the suggestion that Austria
could not be bound by precedents set
up in the correspondence with Ger
many over the sinking of the Lusi-
tania was brushed aside as irrelevant.
"It is not a question of precedent, but
of fundamental principles" was the
position enunciated by Secretary
Lansing,
Fourth, that indicative, perhaps, of
desire by the Austrian government
to get popular support for Wig rus
rejection of the American demands,
1t was learned from Ambassador Pen
field that the text of the American
note has just been published in the
Austrian press.
1t is considered certain that with
In the next few days, what may prove
the final word will be sent fcrward to
Austria. 1t was said that unless Aus
tria has new actual facts to pu! for.
ward, this government must deman
q reply to its request for di5avowal.
Otherwise a continuance OF friendly
relations is impossible.