The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-03
WILSON is BACK

Continued from page one.)
minimized and the declaration of
Baron Zwiedenik, the Austrian charge,
that he was confident the final ex-
PLANTATION would be satisfactory. has
not lessened the tension.
Was Persia Armed?
The American consul at Alexandria
reported today that the ship carried
one Al inch gun, but did not state
where the gun was mounted. This may
become a factor in the case. The
Hague convention, however, provides
that merchant ship may carry gun
mounted on the stern for the purpose
of defense without being considered an
armed ship. The disposition is not to
assign the incident of the gun to
place in consideration of the case until
all the facts are known. Officials have
grave apprehensions over the develop
ments of the next few days.
Secretary Lansing said action would
be taken to notify Turkey and Bull
garia formally of the attitude of the
United States toward submarine war
fare so that all the central power bel
ligerents operating in the Medlter-
ranean might not be uniformed. Mr..
Lansing was asked today what the at
titude of the state department would
be if investigation developed that Aus
trian submarines in the Mediterranean
were commanded by German naval Of
ficers The secretary said the depart
ment was inclined to let the nationality
of the vessel itself determine the re-
sponsibility, taking the view that
submarine flying the Austrian flag
would be considered as responsible to
the Austrian government by Whomso-
ever commanded
Austrian Ambassador Active.
From the inquiries which Ambas-
sador Penf1eld has been directed to
make at Vienna concerning informa-
ton there regarding the Persia, the
American government hopes to sift
what evidence there is for the conclu-
sion that the Persia was torpedoed.
No e1Ibmersib1e was seen, but one
officer of the Persia said he saw the
wake of a torpedo. 1t is possible that
later Ambassador Gerard at Berlin
may be instructed to seek informa-
ton.
During the morning Baron Zwiedi-
mex, charge of the Austrian embassy,
called on Secretary Lansing and asked
that judgment be withheld until all
the facts were known and expressed
his belief that final explanation
would be satisfactory, he also sought
any available information for the ben
eft of his government.
Baron Zwiedinek also assured Sec
rotary Lansing that if it were proved
that an Austrian submarine had sunk
the Persia, his government would give
full reparation and satisfaction.
No Warning Was Given.
Alexandria, Jan. 3.-Surviving Off
GERS of the British liner Persia landed
at this port declared positively today
that the steamer was torpedoed and
ridiculed the idea that a mine might
have sent the vessel to the bottom
with the loss of probably more than
$50 lives.
The second officer declared he saw
a white streak-the wake of the tor
pedo-on the port side just before the
explosion.
ITALY Astounded Over Affair.
Rome, Jan. 3.-The sinking of the
Persia has made a profound impress
sion in Italy, which is reflected in the
press
This new crime is a grievous Of
Tense against civilization" says the
Giornale d'Ital1a. especially as it
comes almost at the time of the Aus
fession of humanitarian principles"
The Tribuna recalls the fact that
during the negotiations with the
United States concerning the Lusitania,
Germans sank the Arabic, just as now,
with the Austro-American exchanges
over the Ancona in progress the Per-
STA has been destroyed.
The Idea Nazionale says that, be-
ginning with the Lusitania and end
ing with the Persia, more than 1000
unarmed persons, including women
children and aged and i'll persons, have
been sacrificed.
Returns in Private Car.
Hot Springs, Va, Jan. 3.-In order
to facilitate the return, a private car
in which Joseph Hartman of New
York arrived at Hot Springs this
morning, was taken for the President
and Mrs Wilson. The president was
eager to start back sooner but the
railroad officials could not make ar
rangementS.