Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-02

The following note. dated Decem'
Der 30, in answer to the American
governments demands concerning
the sinking of the Italian steamer
Ancona by an Austrian submarine
has been delivered to Frederick C.
Penfield, the American ambassador
"In answer to your very esteemed
note No. 4307 of the 21st instant
the subscriber has the honor to lay
the following most respectfully be-
fore his excellency, the ambassador
of the United States, Frederick
Courland Penfield:
Must BE Observed.
The imperial and royal govern.
ment agrees thoroughly with the
American cabinet that the sacred
commandments Of humanity must be
observed also in war. Just as 1t has
hitherto given at no time and to nc
person occasion to doubt it's respect
for these commandments, in like
manner also in the whole course OF
this war, which presents such pic
lures of confusion Of moral concep-
tions,, has it given numerous proofs
of humanitarian sentiments toward
enemies as we'll as toward neutral
states and it was not due to this gov
ernment that 1t was. a short time ago
not in harmony with the Washington
cabinet precisely on, the question
which 1t (the Austria-Hungarian)
government, in harmony with the
entire public opinion in Austria-Hun-
gary, regarded rs principally a ques'
tion of humanity.
COncurs i'm Principle.
THE imperial and royal govern
ment can also substantially concur
in the principle expressed in the
very esteemed note, that private
ships, insofar as they do not flee or
offer resistance, may not be de-
stroyed without the persons aboard
being brought into safety.
THE imperial and royal govern
ment is very responsive to the as
surance that the federal government
lays value upon seeing that the good
relations which happily exist be-
tween Austria-Hungary and the
United States of America remains.
1t reciprocates this assurance most
warmly and Is now, as heretofore,
concerned to render these relations
more hearty so far as lies in it's
power.
Guided by the same spirit of
frankness as the goernment Of the
United States the imperial and royal
government. although II does not
find In the note frequently referred
to the answer to all the legitimate
questions submitted by 1t is willing
to communicate TO the federal gov
eminent the result Of the invesdga-
ton in accordance with existing de-
partmental regulations as begun i'm
mediately after the receipt Of the
full report on the sinking OF the An
coma and which was just recently
received.
Result OF Inquiry.
"The result Of this Investigation may be
summarized as follows; On November I,
1915, at il;iO o'clock In the forenoon, the
commander Of the submarine observed
In latitude $3.50 north. longitude 1905
east, in foggy weather, at a distance OF
roundly 5000 meters. and one point 10
starboard. the outlines Of large Italian
steamer. He took 1t at first for q trans
port steamer and turned about and fired
from his rear gun warning shot far
from the vessel
simultaneously be displayed the signal.
Leave the ship" The steamer did not
stop. but rather turned aside and sought
to escape. The commander at first re-
mained stopped for some minutes In order
TO increase the distance since he feared
that the steamer had a stern gun and
would fire at the submarine with II.
FIres sixteen shells.
when the distance had reached 400
meters he had the pursuit taken up with
full power and fired from his forward
gun at a decreasing distance sixteen
shells. among which he observed three
hits.
During the chase the steamer went zig
rag and stopped only after the third hit.
Thereupon the commander ceased firing.
During the flight the steamer had al
ready. while at full speed, let some boats
with persons in them. fall. which imme-
diately capsiEed. After stopping the
steamer began launching boats.
From a distance Of about 1000 meters
the commander saw that six boats were
filled and rowed hastily away from the
steamer. Another boat was capsiEed and
floated keel up. The people held on
to the hanging lines and TO the capsizsd
boat
During the further approach Of the