The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-21
REPLY OF AUSTRIA
TO u. S. PROTEST IS.
EXPECTED THIS WEEK.
Ambassador Penfield Notifies
State Department Vienna
Has Answer Ready.

Austria's reply TO the request OF the
United states for an explanation Of the
Austrian submarine attack on the
American tank steamer Petrolite, In ex-
pected to reach Washington In a few
days.
Secretary of State Lansing was so
advised today by United States Ambas-
sador Penfield. at Vienna.
The Petrolite was attacked In the
eastern Mediterranean last December
while en- route from Alexandria to Phil
adelphia. According to affidavits filed
with the Department OF State by the Of
hcers Of the tanker, the submarine, af-
ter the Petrolite had obeyed a warning
to stop. continued firing on the steamer
and seriously wounded q Danish MEM
Der OF the crew.
The Austrian commander demanded
that Captain Thompson sell him some
provisions. When this request was re-
fused. the submarine. commander sent
a force on board the ship and took what
he wanted. meantime holding an Amer
lean member of the crew on board the
submarine as hostage. The Petrohto
time. and had the American colors
painted on her sides.
Depends Upon Reply.
secretary LdHSluB uuHlllltu lOudy Inut
upon the nature of the explanation
given will depend whether the United
States will demand an apology and
punishment Of the Austrian commander.
The ntuation- with respect to the
Lusitania case and the new submarine
controversy with Germany Is hanging
rc pending 5eREy s, ftST toSay ths
the situation Is as grave as 1t has been
at any time In the recent negotiations.
1t is admitted that unless Germany's
new submarine declaration Is made to
jibe with her previous assurances. the
situation will take on an extremely crit
zeal aspect.
1t was explained that Secretary Lam
sing has not demanded outright a modi-
fication of the German declaration OF in
tent TO sink all armed enemy merchant
: vessels without warning after February
Bernstorff his belief that this declara-
ton nullifles the assurances for the
future which Germany had agreed to
give for settlement OF the Lusitania
case.
The State Department reiterated its
view that the United States regards
passenger vessels. freighters, and
tramps as merchantmen, and recognizes
the right given them by international
law to carry defensive armament.
Germany, according to news dis
patches from Berlin. continues to hold
Its view that armed vessels of the en-
City Dc as WdI5Hlp5
and treated accordingly.
Apparently a Deadlock.
A deadlock apparently has been
reached by the United States and Ger
many on this point. Officials will await
the reply Of the Berlin government to
the note OF last week setting forth this
Governments view before taking the
next step. e..
The reply OF the German government
Ia AHnaRtAd IN WaahtnRfnRa hAfara
the middle OF the week. Count Won
Bernstorff, the German ambassador,
win deliver II at the State Department.
his call. it is stated by a high ADMIN
lstration official, Secretary Lansing
will discuss with him the charges made
by the Administration that he has dis
cussed pending diplomatic negotiations
in n manner not consistent with dlplo-
matte usage.
Secretary Lansing, It is said. will eau
tlon the ambassador against public dis
cussion of these questions.
The incident is expected to go no
further than that, however, as Il Is
pointed out that no written statements
and officials have only their suspicions
TO guide them in tracing to him re-
sponsibility for recent newspaper dis
one official said that II Ambassador
Gerard had talked as freely to the
German newspaper men as Count Won
Bernstorfr has talked to the press here
Gerard would nave been sent back from
In connection with the talk OF irri-
tation at the White House and State
Department over the German ambassa-
doris actions the belief was expressed
Bernstorn Issue was raised to help clear
the atmosphere of the impression that
the Administration had "about-raced''
on the armed merchantmen question.
Reflected In Congress.
The complicated nature of the foreign
situation will be reflected in the de-
velopments in Congress this week.
Despite the fact that In the long Sc
ries of negotiations over the Lusitania
case and other phases of the submarine
controversy one crisis after another
has been successfully passed, there is
fear among many members OF the
Senate and House over the new turn OF
events,
1t is realized in the Senate. which
keeps close eye on foreign affairs
that II about a week hence Germany
actually should begin new era OF
submarine destruction and American
lives be lost there would be serious
danger OF trouble
II tho effective date OF the German
order should be postponed II would
give much relief to Senators. They
would feel that such postponement
would give opportunity for long
diplomatic exchanges and avoidance
of a clash.
Not only by reason OF the subm arine
situation. but on other accounts, for
eign affairs are in Il position to COM
mand notice at tho Capitol.
Although Senator Lewis made reply
to the Root speech last Saturday
other Democratic leaders arc relied
on by the Administration to handle
the big calib guns OF oratory
against Root.
Chief of these are Senators Stone
and John Sharp Williams.
Williams the "Big Gun"
The White House looks primarily tc
Senator Williams to reply. the Presl.
dent having been greatly pleased
with his speech some time ago in dc,
tense OF the Mexican policy. Both
Senators Stone and Williams will &c
over their arguments with the White
House.
Moreover, there has been inforIna
comforting among Democratic Leaders