Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-01-04

~ = +. u b. d. ( h.a
Washington. d. c., Jan. 8. - Presi-
\ dent Wilson will return to the capital
tomorrow to take charge of the new
crisis in foreign relations caused by
the submarine campaign in the Medi-
terranean with loss of American life.
After conferences over the telephone
between President Wilson and Secre-
tary Tumulty and Secretary Lansing
1t was announced at the white house
and also at Hot Springs, Va, that the
president would start back to Wash
ington tonight, arriving tomorrow.
1t was stated authoritatively that the
destruction of the British liner Persia
with loss Of American life and the
destruction OF the British ship Glen
gyle had put such grave aspect on
the relations Of the United States with
the Teutonic powers that the president
considered It necessary to return to
the white house at once for conference
with Secretary Lansing and the other
members OF the cabinet to shape the
course Of the government.
The situation as it exists today was
describeN In Official quarters as paral-
cling the crisis which was caused by
sinking iof the Arabic close on Ger
many's assurance in response to the
representations of the United States
on the destruction Of the Lusitania.
Tension Not Lessened.
While American officials are keep
ing their minds open until they have
Ill the facts in the Persia case official
ly and know whether Americans were
endangered in the sinking of the Glen
gyle, the gravity Of the situation Is
not minimized, and the declaration of
Baron Zwiedinek, the Austrian charge,
that he was confident the final explain
alton would be satisfactory has not les
sened the tension.
One new fact developed today in the
Persia case. The American consul at
Alexandria reported that the ship car
ried one AZ 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 purposes of
defense without being considered an
armed ship.
The official view here is that the
question Of whether q gun was mount
ed on the Persia will depend entirely
on where 1t was placed. II mounted
forward, officials realize the Austrian
government could contend the Persia
was armed for destruction of submar-
ines and had INSTRUCT, 8 to ram or
destroy the submersibles. The dispo-
sition Is not to assign the incident OF
the gun to place In consideration of
the case until all facts are known.
Officials consider that the Austrian
submarine campaign in the Mediter-
ranean has brought on just such
crisis as did the German submarine
campaign in the declared war zone
around the British isles. Coming close
on the conciliatory assurances in Aus.
tria's Ancona note, the continued sub
marine activity, principally around the
entrance to the Suez canal, has alarm
ed and amazed American officials, who
have grave apprehensions over the de.
velopments Of the next few days.
TO Ask information.
Secretary Lansing announced he
had instructed Ambassador Penfeld at
Vienna to ask the Austrian govern.
ment for any information which might
establish the nationality of the sub.
marine which is said to have sunk the
Persia and which would develop the
facts in the case.
Secretary Lansing also said that
some action would be taken to formal
" notify Turkey and Bulgaria Of the
attitude of the United States toward
submarine warfare so that all the CEN.
trail power belligerents operating in
the Mediterranean might not be unin.
formed.
Mr.. Lansing was asked today what
the attitude Of the state department
would be II Investigation developed I
that Austrian submarines in the Medi-
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