The Washington times., 1916-01-01

the Administration and the state De-
psrtment because the new note from
Austria on the Ancona case is regardedJ
hero as favorable to a solution OF the
whole submarine controversy.
That Austria In that note was not
speaking in good faith, and that the
Persia was deliberately sunk in de-
fiance of the principles which Austria
says she will observe, is deemed almost
unbelievable here. Consequently. in
spite of the reports as to the scope
of the horror it is thought possible the
Persia tried to escape or in some way
forfeited immunity.
What officials here want to know Is
whether warning was given and wheth-
or the Persia tried to escape or resist.
IL seems plain that, IL the early re-
ports are correct as to the enormous
loss of life. there could have been no
warning.
Assumed To Be Austrian.
The i. & o. liners are travelled on
freely by Americans bound for the
Orient. and 1t would be remarkable II
there were not a number Of them on
board.
1t is not yet definitely known whether
the submarine was Austrian. But Aus.
trian submarines have been active OF
late in the Mediterranean and so it is
assumed this craft was also Austrian.
Unless the submarine was justified in
its attack, the United States will call on
Vienna promptly for disavowal. punish
ment of the captain and reparation
The circumstances OF the case, on the
surface are so astonishing and so com.
pletely out Of line with Austrian and
German assurances. that the United
States will be forced quickly to break
relations unless Vienna gives quick sat
isfaction. War between the two coun-
tries, even, might follow.
Complications Threaten.
From any possible viewr oint unless
the commander of the submarine was
justified, ugly complications loom up in
threatening fashion.
Having made it plain it would break
relations with Austria unless that gov
ernment yielded in the Ancona case.
the Administration cannot do less in
this tnste.nce, provided the attack was
in wanton disregard of Law and Aus.
trta does not move speedily to q dis
p.vowal, and to amends of a satisfac-
tory sort.
The dispatches thus far shed no light
on the nationality of the vessel that did
the torpedoing. One Of the possibilities
is that its nationality cannot be estab-
lished.
Secretary of State Lansing is taking
the necessary steps to secure full in
formation about the facts. 1t is as
sumed the consul at Alexandria will
furnish detailed statement at an early
date.
IL Consul McNeely was saved his
version of the affair will be of extreme
Importance. If he was lost. the State
Department will be impelled to go into
the matter all the more minutely.
Consul McNeely was recent gradu-
ate of the University OF North Caro-
lima. He was appointed on October ~
to the consular service and was going
to his first post. at Alden. He was a
member of the school for consuls con-
Quoted by the> State department this
fall and was there given the training
to fit him for his position.
Whether Consul McNeely was lost OF
any of the Americans on board was
lost. provided American life was wan.
tonly placed in jeopardy, will make nc
essential difference so far as the action
Of this Government is concerned.
President Wilson. we'll satisfied with
the Austrian note on the Ancona, haC
planned to remain at Hot Springs unit
ednesday. This may hasten his re.
turn.
Another phase OF the matter Is the
possibility that there will be renewed
pressure to have the question Of a
break with the central powers submitted
to Congress before a rupture Is decreeC
by the White House.