New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-17
Ambassador Instructed 20
Make Careful Inquiry
Into Case.
PLEDGE OF VIENNA
MAY BE DEMANDED
Officials See Necessity for Re-
neWing Negotiations with
Germany.
Iron TIE Tribune Bureau

Washington. Nov. 16-The first Off
cial move In what ia expected to be a
long drawn-out effort TO win from Aus
tria promises az to her submarine war
fare similar to those given by Ger
many was taken to-day, when the
State Department cabled Ambassador
Penfield. az Vienna. TO inquire into the
case and 10 get from Austria a state
ment in detail. This action was taken
within a few hours after the Austrian
/ Charge d'Afaires had presented an Of
/ fetal statement accepting responsible
ty for the sinking Of the Ancona.
This statement, in substance the
same as that transmitted by wireless
from Berlin on Sunday night. contains
, the first data on which this govern
ment can ect. The Italian government
statement transmitted Yesterday failed
| to charge definitely that the Submarine
was either Austrian or German. and
was 90 vague in It's allegations that no
official action could be taken on It.
The United States Is still without IN
formation from Its own officials
abroad, and the long delay Is increas.
ing the hope that Italy has not been
able to make out a case Of Illegal ac-
ton by the submarine. This would
relieve this government Of the neces-
sity for asserting and protecting the
II L &C. ~ hut a
would not prevent action In the case.
Many officials feel that, regardless of
the legal aspects. the crime against
humanity was so great that II cannot
be allowed TO pass without protest.
Seek Pledge from Vienna.
A determination Is becoming evil
dent in official circles TO obtain from
Austria q declaration similar 20 that
given by Germany. assuring the safety
Of non-combatants at sea. The in
creasing activity Of Austrian subma-
rines in the Mediterranean, with the
constant danger that Americans will
be exposed 10 the dangers of this cam
paiCn. has made the need OF such an
understanding clear. and the Ancona
case is believed to offer an opportu-
nifty for reaching il. even If IL proves
that no law was broken.
The methods used with Austria, II Is
understood will be much the same "a
in the dispute with Germany. Follow
ing the establishment Of the facts,
note probably will be sent to Vienna,
stating the American position, point
/ ing out the moral wrong in killing nom
combatants. women and children, and
Z demanding guarantees for their safety.
No statement was made at the State
/ Department to-day as to the exact in
| formation Ambassador Penfield had
/ been asked 10 obtain. II was admitted,
| however, that there we're several points
| in the Austrian statement which by no
means substantiated the claim of iu1ti-
fcation, and that Ambassador Penfield
| had been instructed 20 inquire partic-
/ ularly concerning them.
Ask Definite Statement.
! It IL assumed that Ambassador Pen
| fields first demand will be for an un-
equivocal statement that the attacking
/ submarine was Austrian. Officials
think it significant that the Admiralty
statement leaves this entirely 10 infer
once. which permits the suspicion that
the Austrian government ia assuming
responsibility for an act actually COM
mtted by a German vessel. IL is point
ed out this ruse might be adopted both
TO avoid war between Germany and
Italy and to preserve the validity OF
the German governments assurances
10 the United States.
Ambassador Penfeld will try to learn
the exact relative positions OF the An
coma and the submarine at the time Of
the attack and at the time when the
torpedo was fred. as well as the posi-
ton Of the hostile vessel. the approach
Of which is alleged TO have made Il
necessary to sink the Ancona before
all the passengers had been rescued.
The Austrian government will be asked
TO reply TO the Italian charge that pas
sengers who swan TO the submarine
were repulsed with jeers and left to
drown.
Whether or not the Ancona case
proves such as would demand an imme-
date disavowal. the administration of
hcials admit that il demonstrates the
necessity OF reaching a definite under
standing with Germany concerning the
Lusitania and the whole question of
submarine attacks on merchant ship
ling. The State Department now real
Ives that Germany's assurances are far
from complete. and that there Is no
solid ground on which this government
can stand in case Of renewal Of the
submarine campaign.
1t is probable. therefore. that Am
bassador Won Bernstorf soon will re-
sumo his visits 10 Secretary Lansing's
office, and that the State Department
will try TO reach through a continu-
ance of the informal negotiations" u
definite agreement with Germany.