The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-17
Vienna Declares American
Note Failed to Give ESSEN
tial Details
REPLY NOT AT ALL TO
WASHINGTON'S LIKING
London Believes Policy Is to
Temporize, Austria Taking
Cue From Germany in Lusi-
tania Outrage

London. Dec ia dispatch from
Amsterdam to Reuters Telegram
Company said that the reply of the
Austro- Hungarian government to the
note from the United States relating
TO the sinking of the Ancona was
handed to Frederick G. Penfield. the
American ambassador at Vienna, on
Tuesday.
The Austro- Hungarian government
expresses sympathy for the American
victims OF the Ancona, and its reply
states that II is prepared on principle
10 enter into an exchange of opinion
with the United States. that it leaves
to Washington TO draw up the in
dfvidual maxims which the com
mander OF the submarine is alleged
to have violated
Vienna Wakes Sarcastic.
The Reuter- correspondent quotes
from the text as follows:
From the sharpness with which
the government of the United States
believed it ought to censure the COM
mander of the submarine. aud from
the frmness with which the derna ads
addressed TO the Austro-H angarian
government appear 10 have been
brought forward. it could lie expected
that the American government would
clearly give the actual circumstances
upon which it relies. As can be easily
recognized the representation of the.
circumstances contained In the note al
lows numerous doubts and gives not
at all sufficient reasons for blaming
the commander of the submarine and
the Austro-Hungarian government
even If the representation proves corr
rect III all points, and judgment in
the case IS based on the most vigor-
Gus legal interpretation.
The American government also
omitted to indicate the persons 10
whose statements it refers and 20
whom 1t apparently believes 1t must
attribute a higher degree of trust
worthiness than to Il commander OF
the imperial royal navy
Lacks Important Details.
'.As To the number, names and the
details concerning the fate of the
American citizens who in the critical
moment were aboard the aboye men,
toned steamer, the note does not give
any explanation. But in view Of the
Lact hat the Washington cabinet now
has given a positive declaration that
at the above mentioned incident SUBJ
jects of the United States came to
grief, the Austro- Hungarian governs
ment in principle is prepared to enter
into an exchange OF opinion with the
American government. But in the first
instance it must raise the question
with this government But In the
first instance 1t must raise the aues-
tion of why this government refrained
from judicially motivating the de-
mands stated in it's note with regard
10 the special circumstances of the in-S
eliminating incident which are
especially pointed out by the American
government and in the place of such
motivation mentioned an exchange Ut
correspondence which ii had with
another government about another at
fair tthe American note TO Germany on
the Lusitania easel.
THE Austro-Hungarian government
Is the less able TO follow the Washing
ton cabinet in this unusual attitude, ae
ii in no way possesses "A nowledEc of
all the correspondence having refer.
ence to It. The Austro- Hungarian gov
eminent also is not of the opinion thar
this knowledge could he sufficient for
the present case, which. according 10
it's own information, is materially DIFF
fercnt from the case or cases - which
the American government apparently
is referring. Therefore, the Auss-o-
Hungarian government must Leave ii
to the Washington cabinet IN draw III
the individual legal naxims which the
commander OF the submarine Is ali
legged 20 have violated when sinking
the Ancona.
The American governments aaS1
thought IL advisable ~ point out Iha
attitude which the Berlin cabinet In
the before mentioned exchange Of corr
respondent had taken. In the highly
esteemed note the Austro Hungarian
government finds no support TOR tilia
course. If the American government
should have intended thereby to cx-
press an opinion as If prec@dent
exists for the present case. the Austru-
Hungarian government, in order -
prevent Observation-Disclosures must fle-
clare that it. OF course. must preserys
fun liberty 10 urge its own legI: .ntef-
preiations during the discussion Of the
Ancona case"
Purpose tn TeInporixc.
The Gazette says that Vienna rufvs
pose Is 10 temportze and involve tbs
United States In tedious exchange 0k
documents until the American mind
will have forgotten the incident u
Austro- Hungary. says this paper, ~
taking its cue from the German CO.'S
respondence about the Lusi.anta,
The real question is whether thAs
United States Is, or Ii nOt. tired I'M
this kind OF thing" ornaments khN
Gazette. !, ii Il
Headlines Ia the other ex&p1l Y