The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-01

EXPECT BREAK WITH AUSTRIA.
REPLY THIS WEEK MAY NOT RE
SATISFACTORY TO UNITED
STATES.
III Dual Monarchy Does not Comply
with Demands Rupture with Central
Allies Will Probably Follow, as
There Is Little Hope of Ayerting it,

AuieS Will PROBABLY Follow, as
There Is Little Hope of Ayerting it.
Vienna, Dec. 26 (by Courier to Ber-
lin, via London) The answer Of the
ro-Hungarian government to the
American government in regard to the
sinking of the Italian steamer Ancona
is expected this week. Frederic c.
Penfield. the American ambassador
had not received the reply up to Mon
day evening. however.
Washington, Dec. 2S.-Unofficial
advices received here today conformed
with intimations from abroad that
Austrias Forthcoming reply to the An
coma note will fail TO meet the de-
mands OF the United States and Teu-
tonic diplomatic circles were authori-
'tatively represented as being prepared
for break in diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries.
Various developments. it was
egreed, might avoid such an eventual
ity, but none Of the counter proposals
which it has been intimated the
Vienna foreign Office might advance
have been regarded so far as coming
within the state departments renewal
OF demands regarding the Ancona.
Now that the situation, after being
dormant nearly two weeks, is again
beginning to take on the aspects of a
crisis. the status Of the negotiations
Of the United States over submarine
warfare against merchantmen. not
with Austria alone, but with the Teu-
tonic powers as allies. IL commanding
attention, Although Germany has
given the United States assurances
that she will conform to the principle
of visits and search before attack. the
practices against which the United
States 30 vigorously contended are be-
Ing carried on now by her ally, Aus
tria. and it has been charged that the
Austrian submarines are in some in
stances furnished by Germany and in
others are officered and manned by
the German navy. Such a situation, it
As being pointed out. amounts to prac-
tically defeat of the submarine nei
gotiations with Germany. Further
more. the impasse in the Lusitania
negotiations becomes a factor in the
situation.
1t Is admitted that the United States
scarcely can request Austria to con-
duct submarine warfare in It's rela-
tion to the rights of neutrals in a
manner different from that permitted
to Germany. -
Germany has admitted her obliga-
ton not to sink liners without giving
warning and making provision for the
safety Of passengers and crew pro-
viding there was no resistance. SO far
no agreement has been reached as to
the exact meaning of the word liners.
The Germans hold 1t applicable to
vessels carrying passengers alone and
plying between certain points on reg
ular schedules. The state; depart
ment's view has been that the terms
Include any merchant line. but not
to a regular steamship line, but no
issue has been made of the differing
interpretations because Germany has
undertaken to use such precautions as
may be consistent with the use of the
submarine as to warning merchant
men as to insure the safety of pas
sengers and crew provided these arc
not part of the military establis-
ment of the enemy.
The demand of the United States
upon Austria in connection with the
Ancona case is broader than any Ger
man admission. being based upon the
contention that international law, the
Hague coventions and the declara-
tion of London all require warming be-
fore sinking vessel, and insurance OF
the safety Of the passengers and crew.
even when the vessel is Of belligerent
ownership. The Austrian govern
ment mas not admitted any such OBJ
legations and recent events In the
Mediterranean indicate that subma-
rine commanders are sinking mer-
chantmen without warning and with
out inquiry as to whether they carry
neutral passengers. So far no ex-
PLANTATION beyond that of military
necessity has been offered.
Unless the expected note from that
government should amount to a sud
den and total severance of diplomatic
relations, 1t Is expected in official quar-