Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-11-18
ADDRESSES
A NOTE To ALL
NEUTRAL NATIONS
Denounces Sinking of Ancona
as Unparalleled Atrocity-
Vessel Not Warned
Even by Blank Shot.

Washington, Nov. 15.-secrctary Lansn.
personally received to-day from Macchi
hi Cellere. the Italian ambassador, a
communication addressed by Italy to all
neutral nations, denouncing as IAN I'M
paralleled atrocity" the sinking of the
Italian liner Ancona with scores of neu-
trails and other non-combatants aboard
The statement recites the circumstances
of the attack charging that without
even a blank shot" Of warning from the
attacking submarine the vessel was
shelled and that the killing and wound
ing of passengers continued after the ship
had stopped. No reference is made to
the nationality Of the submarine.
AS yet Ambassador Penfeld has not
been instructed to call at the Vienna for
eign office for information. but he prob
ably will be shortly in view of the
issuance of statement by the Austro-
Hungarian admiralty describing the at
tack.
Upon receipt Of the facts as stated in
Vienna, the Washington government will
consider whether any rights Of American
citizens have been violated. The ad-
miralty statement, which has been seen
by officials here in the press, is at
variance with that of Italy. 1t declares
that the Ancona attempted to escape and
only after repeated Smelling was brought
to a stop 1t is further claimed by Aus
tria that the passengers and crew were
given IS minutes to escape in small boats,
and the charge that the submarine fired
on the boats is denied.
| While officials were disinclined to COM
ment in view Of the contradictory in
formation, the general belief Is that the
entire question of submarine warfare
and the obligations of submarine COM
mander to that neutrals ARE in a
place of safety before destroying a prize
will be taken up by the United States
with the Austrian government.
ONE TEXT OF THE NOTE FOLLOWS.
! THE government of the United States
Is doubtless aware of the particulars re-
ported by the press in connection with the
outrage perpetrated by the enemy upon
Italian shipping on November I.
More than once the destruction of Ital-
Ian merchantmen has taken place under
circumstances with permitted no other
explanation than that there was behind
the procedure a ruthless purpose to use
british force against private property OF
innocent persons. Non-combatant passen-
gers and crews have been the victims Of
these methods, but never has there been
an instance of such unparalleled atrocity
as in the case Of the sinking Of the An
coma. The unarmed liner. en- route for
New York. was steaming westward be-
tween the coasts of SARDINIA and Tunis.
carrying passengers and cargo destined
Tor America.
1T was out Of the question that the ves-
cal 4 h,,, Lao ,al Of
arms or contraband or persons in the
service of any of the belligerents. In fact,
none Of the circumstances alleged in other
cases in an attempt to justify actions de-
scribed by their authors as a necessity Of
war or as reprisal. werc present in the
case Of the Ancona.
There are principles that no state
: ought to disregard and no private in.
dividual could violate with IMMUNITY.
Respect for the lives of persons in no
way participants in Il war is among
these fundamental rules of humanity and
international law. This rule imposes upon
belligerents the strict obligation TO do
all in their power in every circumstance
to protect the lives Of such passengers.
: without any warning whatsoever.
without even blank shot. without OBJ
panying the right of search. the SUBJ
marine encountered by the Ancona in the
aforementioned circumstances opened
fire on the unarmed passenger liner. ruth
essly Smelling not only the wireless APP
paratus. sides and decks of the ship
1 while she was at a stop but even the
!feboats in which the terrorized pas
sengers We're seeking refuge. Many of
. the passengers We're killed outright or
wounded. Some who approached the sub
marine in the hope of rescue We're driven
off with jeers. AS a result of this In
human procedure more than 200 men.
women and children lost their lives.
The royal government regards II a. Q
, duty to denounco soemnly to all nations
the circumstances described above. Their
sentiments of justice and humanity will
cause them without doubt to judge. as II
deserves. the conduct of an enemy which
is obviously contrary to the dictates of
, civilization and the recognized principles
of international law"