New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-28
Lansing Holds Action
Is Without Precedent
From the Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington, Nov. 27.-London's re-
fusal to grant safe conduct to Count
Tarnowski, Austrian Ambassador desig-
nate to the United States, created a
decidedly unfavorabe impression in
official quarters to-day. Some ofici&ls
even intimated that it might be re-
garded as an affront and lead 70 an
unpleasant controversy with Great
Britain.
Secretary Lansing could remember
no precedent for tsueh action. The
State Department had not asked a safe
conduct for Count Tarnowski, believ-
ing that it was unnecessary, because
commonly all diplomatic officers are
permitted to pass unmolested to and
from their posts.
Allowed Bernstorff's Return
1t was recalled that when Ambassa-
dor Won Bernstorf returned to this
country after the war broke out he
travelled without the express consent
of the Allies. Although his ship
stopped at British port and he was
known to be on board he was politely
"overlooked.'
As the official rejection of Count
Tarnowski's request for a safe con-
duct had not been received to-day, Off
cials of the State Department would
not say what action, II any, would be
taken. 1t was hinted strongly, how
ever, that this government would ex'
haust every resource to get the new
Ambassador here.
IL is even possible, it is declared,
that an American vessel will be sent
for the ambassador. If the diplomat
were taken Off an American vessel the
case would be exactly similar to that
of Mason and Slidell in the Civil War.
Britain Demanded Release
The two Confederate commissioners
were seized on a British snip, and
Great Britain demanded their release.
The United States acceded when u
was pointed out that not only were the
commissioners immune because OF
their diplomatic status, but that the
seizure of any foreigner on British
ship was illegal.
Particularly irritating is the reason
assigned by the British Foreign Once
for Withholding the papers. Alluslons
in recent communications from the Al
lies to the improper activities OF leu-
tonic embassies in this country have
impressed Administration officials as
impertinent, as they seem TO imply a
criticism Of the United States for fall
ure to enforce neutrality.
Alleging such reasons for rejecting
Count Tarnowski's application, the
British government presumes to act as
censor, officials declare, Of matters
which are properly Of concern TO the
United States alone. Furthermore, the
United States, in formally accepting
Tarnowski as the Austrian envoy, indi-
Gated its belief that his activities here
would be proper in every way. and this,
diplomatists hold. should be sufficient
guarantee TO the British Foreign Once.
Act Prejudieial to United States
This government is hampered some
what by the fact that it made no Tor
NAL application for Tsrnowski's safe
conduct. When news of his designa-
ton came the Allies we're notified as
a matter OF course. Shortly after, the
Vienna Foreign Office asked the State
Department to transmit the application
for safe conduct, and this was done,
but without comment. Technically,
therefore, Great Britain has rejected
only a request of Austria-Hungary. TO
which the United States was not a
party.
Actually. however, the act is preju.
dicial to the interests OF the United
States, in that il embarrasses COM
munications between the American and
Austrian governments. Also. it is held,
the United States indicated plainly its
desire for the ambassadors safe pas
sage when it notified the Allies Of his
appointment,
Thus the United States is practically,
IL not technically, a party 10 the trans
action, and the British governments
action can only be construed. many Of
fcials believe, as an ahront.
Wilson to Force Issue
IL is considered likely that Presiden.
Wilson, who is declared to be person
Continued on page 2. column