Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-07
VIENNA ASKED To SAY
WHAT It KNOWS OF
THE PERSIA'S SINKING
Ambassador PenfieId Presents
Formal Demand on Austrian
Government for All Facts in
Its Possession
CBy Associated Press-)

WASHINGTON. Jan. 6.-Ambassador
Penfield cabIed today that he had pre-
scented informally TO the Vienna foreign
office the American governments re-
quest for any information on the de-
struction OF the British liner Persia and
AT the time OF filing his dispatch had
received no reply
American Consul Garrels at Alexan-
drfa reported that the affidavits he has
gathered from the Persia survivors give
no more proofs that a submarine Iorpe-
doed the liner. or regarding its national
ftv. than were contained in his first dis
patches
Senators Simmons and Overman asked
President Wilson today If any further
information about the death OF Consul
McNeely had been received. The presi-
dent told them that no new facts had
come 70 the government within the last
two days. but that every effort was
being made TO obtain additional informa-
ton
city. the Seventh Day Adventist mis-
sionary superintendent for India who
sailed on the liner Persia from Mar
settles. is gwen up for lost in a re-
port which the Peninsular and Oriental
line has transmitted 10 the American
embassy in London. The report was
transmitted today TO the state depart
msnt-
DR.. Salisbury was born at Battle
Creek. Mich. in 1870.
Amba Ssador PenfieId was instructed to
ask the Austrian government informally
for any information it might have on
The Persia which would develop the
facts in the case and help the Ameri-
can government decide how the liner
was destroyed Consul Garrels was in
strueted 10 get affidavits for the same
purpose
SO far the only actual statement tend
ing to prove that the ship was torpe-
doed came from one Of the officers of
the ship He said he saw what he
thought was the wake of a torpedo. No
submarine was seen at any time
Further dispatches from Ambassador
Penfeld are expected at the state de-
partment. probably late today and at
any event tomorrow. Meanwhile other
consular agents along the Mediterra-
mean coast are. like Consul Garrels,
seeking further information.
The absence OF further definite ad-
vices Is holding the situation, so far as
any action BY the United States is con-
cerned, at a standstiL
A memorandum defining the general
status Of armed merchant vessels visit
ing American ports was issued by the
state department in September. 1914.
in part as follows:
That no guns are mounted on the
forward part OF the vessel.
That the vessel is manned by its
usual crew and the officers are the same
as those on board before war was de-
clared-
THAT the caliber OF the guns car
ried does not exceed six inches"
Since this memorandum was issued
TIE state department caused guns TO be
removed
Chairman Stone. OF the foreign rela-
lions committee, discussed the situation
with the president today and talked OF
other questions expected to come up at
a meeting OF the committee tomorrow.
particularly Senator Falls resolution
for information on the recognition OF
the CarranZa government and intorma-
ton on the Mexican question.
3 The president told Senator Stone no
additional information OF Importance
had been received on the Persia Incl
dent and expressed the hope that until
the government had formulated its poll
cv there be as little discussion as pos
sible in the senate