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Show Austrian Charge low Plays Role of German Ambassador Baron Zvslcdlnek Attempting Nego tlatlons for Adjustment of the Ancona Controversy Washington, Dec. 21. Ponding ro-celpt ro-celpt of Austria Hungary's reply to tlift second American note regarding tho sinking cf tho Itollan steamship Ancona, Baron Erich Zwledlnok, In chargo of tho Austro Hungarian embassy, em-bassy, Is conducting or forming a basis ba-sis to conduct informal negotiations with Secretary Lansing looking toward to-ward an amlcablo settlement of the controversy. An Intlmntlon to that effect was received at tho stato department de-partment today after tho charge had conforyul at somo length with tho secretary. It Is understood Baron Zwledlnrk Is attempting negotiations similar to those conducted by Count von Bern-itorff, Bern-itorff, tho German ambassador, following fol-lowing tho sinking of tho steamship rablc. It is considered Improbable Improba-ble however, tha such negotiations can develop to an important stage until after receipt of tho next form al communication from Austria Hungary, Hun-gary, which Is oxpocted some time within n week. Just what authority Bnron Zwlcd-inok Zwlcd-inok has been given by his government govern-ment is not known. It was recalled today that tho rolutlons botween tho United States nnd Germany woro so rlous'y strained when tho Gorman ambassador was given 'virtually a freo hand to conduct tho negotiations. negotia-tions. In somo official iiuarters the belief prevails that It was tho negotiations ne-gotiations conducted by Count von nornstorff which prevented tho situation situ-ation from becoming moro sorlous than It at ono tlmo admittedly was. Baron Zwledlnek now is virtually In tho sanio position as tho Gorman ambassador then found himself. It Is considered that with a knowledge of Amorlcan views and tho advantage advan-tage of personal contact with United States oulclals tho baron might bo ablo to accomplish moro than could result from oxchango of diplomatic communications. Tho chargo is known to havo liad word of somo sort from his homo government. It la olso known that his nttentlon wa I called to tho roply which was made to tho first Amorlcan noto. |
