SINKING OF THE ANCONA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16097, 10 December 1915, Page 6

SINKING OF THE ANCONA.

The sinking of the Italian steamer Ancona has brought the diplomatic relations of the United States with Austria to much the same point as was reached in the correspondence with Germany over the sinking of the Lusitania. There is naturally considerable disappointment in the United States at the course President Wilson has elected to take. He might, as many Americans urged, have treated the Central Powers as one belligerent, but he has taken the safer if less heroic course of considering Austria as a separate state. This is not surprising. Had the outrage been committed by a German submarine there could have been no alternative but to regard it as " the deliberately unfriendly act" against which Germany was warned. This would have entailed much more serious consequences than the demand now made upon Austria for a disavowal of responsibility, reparation for the loss of American lives and an assurance that such an act shall not be repeated. Many I Americans are no doubt convinced with good reason that in the

Ancona case Germany was acting through Austria, and that substantial justice would have been done by regarding the notification delivered to Berlin as having been also made to Vienna. However true this may be it must be recognised that if America is to break off diplomatic relations with the Central Powers the step must be taken on a case that will make a wide appeal to loyal American citizens. The fact that the submarine in question was flying the Austrian and not the German flag would, no doubt, influence many to take the more cautious view adopted by President Wilson. It is, however, significant of the trend of feeling in the United States that the President's action in this regard is being subjected to criticism which is in striking contrast to the applause which greeted the earliest of his " firm" notes to Germany.