New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-06
WILSON FRAMES
ANC0NA REPLY
Prepares Acceptance of Vienna
Note-Persia Case
HaltS.

Washington, Jan. .. President VIII
son and Secretary Lansing are FRAN
ing their formal acceptance of Aus
tria-Hungary's disavowal of the Ancona
attack and pledge to destroy no more
vessels without regard for life. The
answer will be sent TO Vienna within a
few days, unless new facts appear con-
corning the Persia and other ships
which have been sunk since the Aus
trian promises were written.
This action * being taken in spite Of
the statement by Secretary Tumulty
yesterday that the situation was
grave" and Notwithstanding that all
the information thus far received at
the State Department indicates that the
Persia was tOrpedoed without warning
and in circumstances which appear TO
nullify the promises the administration
is preparing to accept.
The administration has not yet made
up its mind what attitude 1t will adopt
toward the interference of Congress IN
its foreign relations. Whether Mr. vii
son will welcome the opportunity to
be relieved of the burden of further
worry over submarine warfare or Will
conclude that Congress Is trespasslng
on his prerogatives remains TO be seen.
The State Department announced to-
day that no new information concern
ing the Persia attack had been received
and that the case was precisely where
IL was yesterday. Secretary Lansing
had a long conference with the Presi-
dent this morning, at which it was
decided 20 proceed with the settlement
of the AucOna case without waiting for
developments.
This decision removes the only
ayowed element Of gravity in the situa-
tion as far as the United States is con-
cerned. 10 is now regarded as lrcer-
tain that the administration will make
the Pers a case a subject Of ccntro-
versy. Should the evidence show that
the vessel was struck By an Austrian
submarine, II may be held that the
Persia's gun, mounted for defent. IN
accordance with international law. de-
stroyed her immunity.
But even If the administration de-
c des not to rule against the long-rec-
ognized right of merchantmen 20 arm
for defence. the possibility of "A grave
situation is apparently disposed Of By
Baron Zwied nek's assurances that Aus
trla Immediately will offer full sat fac
ton.
The reasons for President Wilson'S
precipitate return to Washington are
thus not 20 be found in the officially
admitted facts of the international sit
uation. Except for telephone CONVEX
sation with Secretary Lansing. which
could as well have been conducted from
Hot Springs, his conferences yesterday
were with members Of Congress, and
therefore more closely concerned with
domestic than international politics.
The only immediate effect his return
had on the situation was 70 increase
the appearance of gravity without indi-
eating wherein the gravity consisted.
His decision 20 return TO Washington
by special train two days in advance of
the date previously announced is there
fore taken as an indication that he
wanted not so much to have the inter-
national as the Congressional situa-
tion IN hand. His plans Tor the future
handling of this problem will be de-
termined largely by his interviews
with the members OF the Foreign Re
lations committees of the House and
Senate, whom he mas already promised
to consult.