The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06
FULL TEXT OF THE
AUSTRIAN NOTE
lContlnued from Page one

| Keel ana settled so Slowly tHul NhS
| submarine commander at first doubt
cd whether the steamer would sink.
Not until 1920 o'clock did it sink, af-
ter lengthy parallel settling, with
the bow first.
During these further forty-hyc min
utes all persons yet aboard could
have been saved without difficulty
with the boats still on hand.
From the fact that this, contrary to
his expectations, was not done, the
commander concluded that the crew,
contrary to all seamans customs, had
accomplished their own rescue with
the first boats and abandoned to them
selves the passengers entrusted to
their protection.
The weather at the time of the in
cident was good and the sea calm, sol
that the life boats could have reached
the nearest coast without danger, nsI
indeed, the life boats actually we're
damaged only by the unskilled lower
ing. but not after they had struck the
water.
The loss OF human lives is, in the
first instance, by no means ascribablc
TO the sinking Of the ship but and in
all probability in much higher meas
ure, to the rapid lowering tHinunterI
WerfenD Of the boats during full
speed as well as TO the fact that the
crew, concerning only for itself, did
not rescue the passengers Of the cap
sized boats.
II is also probably ascribabla to
shots which hit the fleeing vessel, hut
the death Of persons who sank with
the steamer is also, above all, uscriba-
bile to the disloyal conduct Of the
crew.
As appears from the above adduced
state of affairs, the very esteemed note
Of December is based in many points
on incorrect premises.
Information reaching the United
States government that solid shot was
Immediately fired toward the steamer
Is incorrect; It is incorrect that the
submarine overhauled the steamer
during the chase; it is Incorrect that
only n brief period was given for get
ting the people into the boats. on the
contFt Try, an unusually long period
was granted to the Ancona for getting
passengers In the boats.
Finally, It is incorrect that a num-
hcr Of shells were still fired ut ;he
steamer after it had stopped
The facts Of the case demonstrate
further that the commander Of the
submarine granted the steamer full
forty-fiye minutes time; that is, more
than an adequate period to give the
persons aboard an opportunity 10 take
to the boats.
Then, since the people we're not all
saved he carried out the torpedoing in
such a manner that the ship would re-
main above water the longest posi-
bic time, doing this with the purpose
If making possible the abandonment
If the vessel on boats still on hand.
Since the ship remained Il further
forty-tive minutes above water, he
would have accomplished his purpose
if the crew of the Ancona had not
abandoned the passengers IN man-
ncr contrary to duty.
With full considerations however Of
this conduct of the commander, aim
ed at accomplishing the rescIe Of the
crew and passengers, the Imperial and
royal marine authorities reached the
conclusion that he had omitted to
AXE adequately into consideration
he panic that had broken out among
he passengers. which rendered duff Z
'ut the taking to the boats, and the
,pirit Of the regulation hat imperial
md royal marine officers shall fail in
living help to nobody in need, not
wen to an enemy. q
Therefore the officer was punished
n accordance with the existing rules, I
or exceeding his instructions. t
The imperial and royal governnCnt )
n the face Of this state Of affairs does v
ot hesitate to draw the corresp ond- G
ne conclusions respecting the indem- r
ifcatlon Of American citizens affect
d by the sinking Of the prize, hut in
his regard it makes the following =
.atement:
The investigation into the sinking
the Ancona could naturally furnish II
o essential point to show in how far 1
right to an indemnity is to he grant I'm
! American citizens. tl
The imperial and royal government ir
indeed, even, according to the Il,
ew Of the " .shington -nbint. he II
I'D liable for damages which result T,