Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-16
FINDS WEAK POINT
: In AMERICAN NOTE
Feeling Assumption Dual Govern
ment Should Have Been In
formed Of Policy Wrong.
NO DIRECT ANNOUNCEMENT


VIENNA, Dec. 15.-The American
note to Austria Hungary concerning
the sinking of the Italian steamer
Ancona is regarded here as weak in
one important point, which may de-
prive the note in general of its foun-
dalton.
This concerns the standpoint taken
that the Austro-Hungarian govern
ment should be familiar with the at
titude of the American government
regarding the freedom OF the seas be-
cause President Wilson had explained
this to the German government, thus
implying that Austria, as Germany's
ally, should be acquainted with the
principles laid down and desired by
Washington.
objection Raised.
Against this stand OF Washington the
objection is raised I'm responsible quarters
here that the government has knowledge
of the negotiations In the IIusitania case
only through the newspapers; that 1t
could give to these reports no diplomatic
self in any way with the Lusltania case
1t is pointed out by the same authority
that the American government can
scarcely demand that the imperial gov
eminent base its policy upon newspapers.
and It is suggested in any case it would
have been better IL Washington at the
time had communicated the memorandum
of its standpoint to all belligerent gov
ernments. in which case the present note
would seem more justified.
Will Accept Explanation.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14-The State de-
partment probably will accept the ex-
PLANTATION made by Baron Erich Zwie-
dinek, charge of the Austro-Hungarian
embassy here. regarding letter he wrote
to the Austro Hungarian general in New
York, suggesting that neutral passports
be bought to assist reservists in this
country to reach Austria-Hungary
The letter was written while DR.. Con-
stantin Dumba, the recalled ambassador
was in charge of the embassy. Baron
Zwiedinek called upon Secretary Lansing
the day after 1t was published and ex-
planned he was a subordinate official al
the time and was acting under the IN
structions OF DR.. Dumba. Secretary
Lansing did not indicate what his view
would be. but 1t is learned that there Is
no disposition at the department to ques-
ton the charges statement that he was
not responsible for the letter.
No Word from vienna.
Acceptance of Baron Zwiedinek's ex-
PLANTATION will clear up one of the in
cidents out of which grew the situation
aggravating relations between the United
States and Austria Hungary. There prob
ably will be no decision In the case OF
Alexander van Nuber, Austro-Hungariar
consul general at New York, charged
with Objectionable activities. until after
a reply has been received to the note tc
Austria Hungary demanding PREPARATION
for American lives lost when the iinei
Ancona was sunk, and assurances thai
such attacks viii not be repeated.
NoSword came today from Ambassador
Penfield to indicate when reply to the
note might be looked for or how the
communication was received. Officials
were still of the opinion that the reply
would arrive by the end of the week.
Sent TO Wrong Address.
COLOGNE (Via London). Dec. H.-The
Cologne Gazette prints the American note
on the Ancona without extended com
ment. 1t merely maintains that the
American statement of facts does not
correspond with the Austrian official re-
port, which asserted that the Ancona was
fired upon only after It attempted &c
escape and that 1t was torpedoed only
- after fifty minutes of grace for saving
passengers was allowed.
According to this" says the Gazette
'the measures adopted by the submarine
were adequate to insure the safety OF
the lives of noncombatants and the high
phrases Of the note regarding humanity
and international law are directed to the
wrong address"