The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-03
L. s. Awaits Information
as to Whether Torpedo or
Mine Sank Liner.
WAKE OF PROJECTILE
SEEN BY An OFFICER
Washington Hears That
Vessel Was Armed With
IT, Inch Guns.
E. II. GRANT. AMERICAN,
AMONG THOSE SAVED
Theory Turkish Submarine
Made the Attack Is
Advanced.

wAsHtNGroS. Jan. with informa-
ton at hand to show that EAT persons,
Including United States Consul Robert
y. McNeely. probably lost their lives
when the British liner Persia was
sunk in the eastern Mediterranean, the
hands Of the State Department are
temporarily tied.
Unless more detailed and positive
information is obtained regarding INC
circumstances of the attack, high ofh-
cials Of the State Department ad-
mitted tonight, the American Gov
ernment may never be in position to
demand AN accounting.
Thus far these two essential details
are lacking.
whether the Persia WAS nj.
tackled by y submarine or struck
mine.
2. II attacked by . submarine,
whether the latter was German,
Austrian or Turkish.
I-n,r definite information is OBJ
tained on these two points, Depart
mept officials declare, the AH'eri-
can Government must bide It's time
and awai, the receipt or ruler reports
from United States Consul Garreis at
Alexandria, who has been directed 10
get AS many sworn statements as pos
sible from survivors.
wnk~ Of Torpedo seen.
The frs, report from Garrels TO,
day was brief but graphic. IL 'o'o
inst enough to convince official WASH,
( inpton that the tragedy is surpassed
only by the sinking Of the Lusitshia
A paraphrase Of the despatch IRON
Consul Garrels is as follows:
! Liner Persia. carrying ~ inch
,,rrs sunk about 400 miles north
west of Alexandria at 1903 oc.ock on
tho afternoon Of December 80; prop
aIIy ,orpe,ioed Sank In hNe MN
utes No submarine was seem ou'
second Officer Bromley saw Tor
n.do track. one hundred and nfty-
three out OF 400 passengers and Gre"
landed at Alexandria on January l.
of the two Americans on ooaru'
Charles II. Grant OF Boston manager
of oil company, saved. McNeeN'
consul at Alden, probably lost. was
last seen struggling in water
Tho location OF the Persia as give
:, this rcport dispelled any belief tina
the captain of the vessel was near nj
des,ination and therefore trying I
n,a,xe a run for II. The telegram ha
IA ,tn1 hnrA
IN. Persia could not have nee
warned. inasmuch as no supmari''
was seen and the vessel sank hVe MN
utes after being struck
of,icials here attach no importan'
90 ,hc nresence of the ~ inch guns wh!c
consul Garrels reports the ferSia
CARRYING. prov!ded 1t can be shown ths
nara for defensive purposes only. ~
mics of the United states IN regird
Guns on merchant ships were SET tor
in a memorandum sent by the Sa
nsrartment to Count Won Bcrnstpr
the German Ambassador. on Septsmh
10. 1914. 1t read as follows
"a. "A merchant vessel ot pe!llserN
nationality may carry an arma"eu n
ammunition for the sole p' rposc OF q
fence without acquiring 'he c"a'"''
of a ship of war.
"H The presence OF an armamei
aud ammunition on board merchal
shin creates a presumption 'hat u
armament IL for offensive purposes, o
IN. owners or agents may overcome TN
nresumption by showing that the Vess
carries armament solely for defence
"c. Evidence to establish the iact u
or,,ament il solely for defence and W
moi he used extensively whether the
mament be mounted or slowed belo
cd