New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-17
Ambassador Glad To Be
Home After Passing
Through U.Boat Zone
Old Diplomacy Extinct
Says Days of ENJOYS with
Nothing to Do Ended
When War Came

Frederick c. Penfeld. United States
Ambassador to AustriaHungary for
the last four years, arrived here last
evening on a French liner. and Will
proceed Immediately to Washington to
confer with State Department officials
and with the President.
Ambassador Penfeld smilingly de-
clined to tell about conditions in Aus
tria- Hungary.
"There are only two persons ] can
tell my story to-otherwlsc | shall be
fred" he said 81 may say, however,
that | am very glad to return safely
which in part was due to the thought
fulness of the French government
AS compliment to the United
States. a destroyer was sent TO convoy
our liner through the Bay of Bscay,
ohich our captain informed me was
fairly bristling with German subma-
rines, seven large steamers having been
sunk the day of our departure. fortu-
nately we met with no untoward incl
dent. and enjoyed calm weather on the
voyage
lie was then asked regarding the
naval engagement between the French
liner Rochamboau and German sub
marine, OF the entrance TO the Glronde,
regarding which cable dispatches have
already been published.
Submarine Blown TO Pieces
The ambassador confirmed the story
in every detail, having learned Of the
engagement from officers OF the
Rochambcau. He said the submarine
was blown TO pieces by the frenPh
naval gunncrs.
Ambassador Ponheld was then asked
for his ideas regarding the future OF
diplomacy abroad, especially among
the Central Powers.
"Thc old style of diplomacy is OK
tinct,' he said. Formerly all dlplo-
mat had TO do was to sit on red vel
vet cushions, look wise and give him,
self over to the enjoyment of social
functions. I was sent to Vienna a
the representative Of ny government
four years ago. During-thc first year
7 strovc 20 put the United states on
the map, and during tho remaining
three years did everything IN my
power TO keep her there
tempts 10 have scurrilous articles and
cartoons attacking the United States
eliminated from the newspapers.
"For the last two years there has
not been a single word favorable to
the United States printed by the
Austrian press. There is strict CEN
sorship OF all the newspapers, all art-
cles and cartoons having to receive
a, Il
they arc allowed to be published.
Slipped in by Mistake
"When attacks against the United
States and cartoons caricaturing Pres
ident Wilson appeared I went immc-
diatcly TO the Foreign Office and reg
istored an official complaint. asked
the Minister of Foreign Affairs why
such articles were passed by the CEN
sor, especially since the United States
was neutral nation. He replied that
they must have slipped In by ms
take and assured me that 1t would
not happen again. For the next week
the majority of the newspapers would
appear with their first pages-the ed,
torial and cartoon pages-a total
blank. Then the attacks would COM
mence all over again
l ne returning dilbosFHN'' ~" 49,
Of the work being performed by the
American Embassy in Austria.
shortly after the outbreak OF the
war the United States took over the
affairs of all the belligerent countries,
with the exception Of Russia" he said.
For the last two years the fifty at.
taches have been working night and
dav trying to clear up the difficulties
of the other nations, as well as taking
care of our own affairs. We have been
a clearing house for information re-
garding lost and missing relatives OF
nearly all the Allies, and have succeed
ed in reuniting many families. i
The ambassador stated that ne mao
loft the embassy in the hands of the
counsellor. who would conduct the af-
fairs during his absence.