New Britain herald., 1916-01-01

is incorrect; it is incorrect that the submarine overhauled the steamer during the chase; it is incorrect that only 8 brief period was given for get ting the people into the boats. ''On the contrary an unusually long period was granted to the Ancona for getting passengers in the boats. Finally, it is incorrect that num- Der of shells were still fired at the steamer after it had stopper Forty-fi Minutes.
 'The facts of the case demonstrate further that the commander of the submarine granted the steamer a full than an adequate period to give the persons aboard an opportunity to take to the boats. Then, since the people were not all saved, he carried out the torpedoing in such manner that the ship could remain above water. the longest possible time, doing this with the purpose of making possible the abandonment of the vessel on boats still in hand.
 Since the ship remained further
 
 would have accomplished his purpose if the crew of the Ancona had not abandoned the passengers in a man ner contrary to duty.
 Did Not Consider Panic.
 With full consideration, however, of this conduct of the commander. aimed at accomplishing the rescue of the crew and passengers, the imperial and royal marine authorities reached the conclusion that he omitted to take adequately into consideration the panic that had broken out among the passengers which rendered it difficult to taking the boats, and the spirit of the regulation that imperial and royal marine officers shall fail in giving help to nobody in need, not even to an enemy.
 ''Therefore the officer was punished in accordance with the existing rules for exceeding his instructions.
 The imperial and royal govern ment in the face of this state of af- fairs does not hesitate to draw the corresponding conclusions respecting the indemnification of American cit izens affected by the sinking of the prize, but in this regard it makes the following statem ent:-
 No Right to Indemnity.
 'The investigation into the sinking of the Ancona could naturally fur nlsh no essential point to show in how far a right to an indemnity is to be granted American citizens. The imperial and royal government can not, indeed, even according to the view of the Washington cabinet, be held liable for damages which re- suited from the undoubtedly justi- fled bonn mbardment of the fleeing ship.
 Tt should just as little have to an- sWer for the damages which came to pass before the torpedoing of the ship through the faulty lowering of life boats or the capsizing of lower ed boats.
 "The imperial and royal govern ment must assume that the Washing ton government is in a position and disposed to give it (the Austro-Hun garian goyernment) the required, and certainly not unimportant, informa- tion in this respect. ...
 Will Extend Indemnities.
 If, however. because of possible lack of material proofs the particu- lar circumstances under which Amer
  not have become known to the un- ion government the royal govern ment, in consideration for the hu- deeply regrettable incident and by a desire to proclaim once again it's friendly feelings toward the federal government, would be glad ly willing to disregard this gap in the evidence and to extend indemni- ties also to those damaged whose cause cannot be esta blished
 While the imperial and royal gov ernment may probably consider the affair of the Ancona as settled with the foregoing statements, 1t reserves to itself at this time the right to bring for discussion at a later period the difficult questions of international law connected with subma arine warfare.
 "The undersigned has the honor to request most respectfully that His the am mbassador of the United States of America, will be pleased to bring the foregoing to the attention of the federal government, and takes advantage of this oppor- tunity to revow to His Exce11encv ar expression of his most especial es- teem.
 (Signed.)
 "BURIAN''