Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-01-01
ANCONA REPLY
AVERTS BREAK
[Continued From First Page.l

Ancona case, received at Washington
last night follows:
In answer to YOUR very esteemed
note, No. 4307, of the 21st instant, the
subscriber has the honor to lay the
following most respectfully before his
EXcellency, the Ambassador of the
United States of America, Frederick
Courtland Penfield:
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 it has
hitherto given at no time and to no
person occasion to doubt its respect
for these commandments, in like man
ner also, in the whole course of this
war, which presents such pictures of
confusion of moral conceptions, has II
given numerous proofs of humanitar-
ian sentiments toward enemies as well
as toward neutral States. and it was
not due to this government that 1t
was, O short time ago, not in harmony
with the Washington Cabinet precisely
on a question which it (the Austro-
Hungarian Government), in harmony
with the entire public opinion in Aus
tria-Hungary. regarded as practically
a question of humanity.
Concurs on Principle
ment can also substantially concur in
the principle expressed in the very
esteemed note, that private ships. In
so far as they do not flee or offer re-
sistance, may not be destroyed with
out the persons aboard being brought
into safety.
The Imperial and Royal Govern
ment is very responsive to the assur-
ance that the Federal Government
lays value upon seeing that the good
relations which happily exist between
and the United States
of America are maintained. 1t recip-
rocates this assurance most warmly,
and is now, as heretofore, concerned
to render these relations more hearty,
so far as lies in its power.
Guided by the same spirit of frank
ness as the Government of the Union,
the Imperial and Royal Government,
although it does not find in the note,
frequently referred to, the answer to
all the legitimate questions submitted
by it, is willing to communicate to the
Federal Government the result of the
investigation, which in accordance
with existing departmental regulation
was begun Immediately after the re-
ceipt of the fleet report on the sinking
of the Ancona, and which has just re-
Gently been received.
The result of this investigation may
be summarized as follows:
on November Z, 1915, at 11:40
o'clock in the forenoon, the comman-
der of the submarine observed, in lati-
tude 38.40 north, longitude 1908 east,
in foggy weather, at distance roundly
1900 meters, and one point to star
board, the outlines of a large Italian
steamship. He took it at first for a
transport steamship and turned about
and fired from his rear gun a warning
shot far from the vessel.
Tried to Escape
simultaneously, he displayed the
signal Leave the ship The steam
ship did not stop, but rather turned
aside and sought to escape. The COM
mander at first remained stopped for
some minutes in order to increase the
distance, since he feared that the
steamship had stern gun and would
fire at the submarine with it.
When the distance had reached
$500 meters, he had the pursuit taken
up with full power and fired from his
forward gun, at decreasing distance,
sixteen shells, among which he OBJ
served three hits.
During the chase the steamship
went Zigzag and stopped only after
the third hit. Thereupon. the COM
mander ceased firing.
During the flight the steamship had
already while at full speed, let some
boats. with persons in them. fall,
which Immediately capsized After
stopping, the steamship began launch
ing boats.
From a distance of about 2,O00
meters the commander saw that boats
were filled and rowed hastily away
from the steamship. Another boat
was capsized and floated keel up. The