ON THE SEAS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15465, 18 December 1915, Page 11

ON THE SEAS.

AMERICA AXD AUSTRIA. THE ANCONA NOTE. A CONTEMPTUOUS REPLY, AMERICAN STATEMENTS QUESTIONED. (By t'aKc—Fre;«s .Usociatpr..— Copyright.) AALSIEKDAM, December 1«J. The Austrian reply to the Ancona Note says that in view of the s>bar]>ness of America's censure, and the firmness oi her demand-, it was to lie expected that America would have clearly given the circumstances on which .she relies, and the names of the persons to whom she attributes a higher degree of trustworthiness that she extends to a commander of tho Imperial and Royal Austrian Navy. Moieovcr. the, _reply t>ays, America's representation of the circumstances is open to doubt. She doe.s not give, further, the names ar.d details of the Americans who are believed to have been lost, but as America i>ositively declares that citizens of the United States did come to grief in the above-mentioned incident, the Austro-Hunitarian Government is prepared to exchange opinions. Austria cannot understand why America gives no reason tor her demands, and in place thereof mentions a correspondence which she had with another Government about another affair. Austria has no knowledge of any .such correspondence, and in any ease, the two affairs are. different. America has thought it necessary to point out Germany's attitude in tho affair above-mentioned, but Austria finds i-o supnort for this hint in America's highly-esteemed Note, and, if America contends that a precedent was established thereby, Austria declares that she must preserve her liberty to place her own legal interpretation upon her action during the Ancona discussion. The reply ends with the declaration that the Government fully sympathises with the victims. A STARTLING STORY. AMERICAN RANKERS SHOT AT GORIZIA.

(Received December 18th 12.15 a.m.) MILAN. December 17. Two American bankers at Gorizia, who refused to resume payment of bills, were charged with spying, and shot secretly. . AUSTRIAN OPINION. (Received December 18th, 1.25 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, December 17. Viennese opinion believes that America must recall the Ambassador in view of the reply to the Note. The Press disapproves of the so-called insolence of the Austrian reply. UNSATISFACTORY, DISAPPOINTING, AND UNACCEPTABLE. (Received December 17th, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, December 17. The Washington correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph''' says tho Austrian reply is regarded as wholly unsatisfactory, disappointing, and unaecej>tr.ble. THE REASON WHY. (Received December 17th. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, December" 16. Tho Washington correspondent of tho "Daily Telegraph'' says that not ono person in a hundred in tho United States believes that a rupture with Austria will occur on the initiative of America, and Austria and Germany fully understand this. CAPTAIN BOY-ED'S ACTIVITIES. BRITISH SECRET SERVICE DISCOVERY. WASHINGTON', December 16. Captain Boy-ed, German Naval Attache, before his departure, was found to bo in possession of a secret report upon the United States Navy, intended for the sole perusal of President Wilson mn] the Cabinet. The British Secret .Service! unearthed the theft. EVADING THE BLOCKADE. FOODSTUFFS BY PARCEL POST. LONDON, December IG. Lord Robert Cecil, replying to a que-itmn as to whether lar-o saiptnents <u food, through the l-uited States Po-t Office, had entered Germany, 6nid that the i.oveinment had communicated with Cecil Spring Rice, British Ambassador at Washington, and was taking other ste;is to deal with the matter effectively.