The Oskaloosa herald., 1916-01-06
WILSON WILL S|FT
/. FACTS ON PERSIA
Statement by President Prom
iSes Full Inquiry.
SEES LEADERS OF CONGRESS
Executive Taking Every Means Posi-.
Bile to obtain Information In Sink
ing Of Liner, and viii Act as
Soon as Facts Are Known.

Washington, Jan. 5.--Official an
houncement that the government will
act the newest phase of the subma-
rine isis brought on by the sinking
OF the Persia was made at the White
House after President Wilson's ar
rival from Hot Springs, Va.
Secretary Tumulty issued this state
ment for the president
THE president and the secretary of
state are taking every means possible
to obtain the full facts in this grave
matter and will act just as soon as
the information is obtained"
In the absence of detailed and spe-
cific information on which to base the
next step, President Wilson Cancelled
the cabinet meeting which was to have
been held, but conferred with Chair
man Stone and some members of the
senate foreign relations committee.
Anxious That Public Be Calm.
= There were evidences that admins
tration leaders, while not in the least
minimizing the dangers and possibili-
ties of the latest complications brought
on by the destruction of the liner Per-
STA, were anxious that the public mind
should not be infiamed further while
the president and his advisers were
trying to suspend Judgment and all the
agencies Of the government were in
motion to collect all the facts upon
which the next move may be made.
For the first time since foreign rela.
tons became delicate during the war
President Wilson conferred with the
leaders of the congressional commit
tees which deal with the subject This
action met the appreciation of many
senators and representatives, who
have been contending that in such a
serious situation as the present prom
Uses to become congress should be con.
suited in any moves which may in
volve the country in measures short of
war.
An expected attack on the admins.
tration policy probably was avoided
by hasty adjournment of the senate
within ten minutes after it assembled
and there was no indication of an out.
break in the house. A meeting of the
senate foreign relations committee to-
day at which the subject was expect
ed to come up was deferred until later
in the week, waiting further informa-
ton, leaders said.
Says Senators May Speak.
Chairman Stone told the president
there were limitations that several
senators were preparing to make
speeches on the sinking Of ships with
loss of American life. The president
is understood to have simply replied
that the administration was doing all
1t could to protect American rights.
The president instructed Secretary
Lansing to bring Immediately to the
White House any new information
which came to hand and then busted
himself reading the official dispatches
SO far received and getting in touch
generally with the situation. The ad-
ministration is depending largely on
the inquiries which Ambassador Pen
field has been instructed to make at
Vienna and that which consuls are
gathering elsewhere, to establish the
nationality of the submarine which is
said to have sunk the Persia and to
develop the facts in the case generally.
Stone for Drastic Action.
Senator Stone told the president that
when the foreign relations committee
met today he wished to be prepared
20 meet any situation that might arise
The senator said after his talk with
the president that until the facts re-
ing could be done. Any nation, he de-
clared, which outraged the United
States should be dealt with severely.
Later Chairman Flood of the house
foreign affairs committee called at the
White House and conferred with Pres.
ident Wilson on the situation.
White House officials said both the
senate and the house would be kept
informed of all important develop
ments in the foreign situation. prob.
ably through conferences between the
president and senate and house lead.
6TSy dlIHOu6u IL any uIdSliC dCIiOH Is
taken it is possible that the president
may send a message to congress.
May Inform Bulgaria and Turkey.
There was no indication of what the
prospects we're for the United States
to formally notify Bulgaria and Tur.
key of its position on the question OF
submarine warfare. 1t has been pro,
posed that this step be taken so that
none of the central power belligerents
could plead lack of official information
as Austria did at first in the Ancona
case. The course of the United States
in that regard will be developed def
nitely later.
1t was disclosed, however. that some
time ago the complete submarine cor
respondence with Germany, showing
the contentious of the United States
and the extent of Germany's &C
quiescence, was sent to the American
diplomatic representatives in Turkey