Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-01-02

washington, Jan. New dangers
threaten the relations between the
United States and the Teutonic allies
as . result of the torpedoing and sink.
ing of the British steamer, Persia, in
the Mediterranean sea last Thurs
day, official Washington admitted to-
night. Officials, were not inclined to
minimize the gravity Of the situation
and further details of the sinking OF
the ship on which American passen.
gers we're known to have embarked
from London, were anxiously, awaited.
American Consul Aboard.
The absence OF any message from
Robert McNeely, newly appointed
consul at Alden, who sailed from Lon.
don on board the Persia, has increas-
ed anxiety here. It is pointed out
that as two days have passed since
the sinking of the steamer, and no
word has come from the United
States official, fears for his safety are
we'll grounded. Should it develop
hat the submarine which torpedoe>.
the Persia was of Austrian national.
ity, as there is apparently reason to
believe, the Vienna government will
be given every opportunity to explain,
it was said tonight.
Officials of the state department
are not inclined to doubt the good
faith given in assurances of the last
Austrian note, which has just placed
the diplomatic negotiations between
the two countries toward Satisfac'
tory adjustment. It is realized that
should an Austrian submarine have
destroyed the steamer, the govern
ment may offer the explanation that
there had not been sufficient time for
new instructions conforming to the
assurances contained in the last An.
coma note to reach submarine com.
manders.
Boat Sunk Thursday,
It was pointed out that this note
was delivered to ambassador Pentield
only Wednesday and that the attack
occurred on Thursday Whether new
instructions regarding submarine at
tacks went forth from Vienna coin
cidentally with the delivery OF t--s
| note or at some previous time is rot
known here.
Should Suc.l an explanation from
Vienna be accompanied with proper
disavowal and provision made for rep
aration. it was considered likely that
the United States would accept it.
Meantime. the state department de-
sires that it be determined definitely
whether the Persia tried to escape;
whether the torpedo was fired at her
after or before she had stopped;
whether warning was given; and
whether the passengers had sufficient
time to leave the vessel.
Official Accounts.
Only two official dispatches con.
cerening the sinking of the Persia
were received by the state depart
ment. These were from Consular
Agent Skinner at London, and the in
formation they contained virtually
was identical with that in press dis
patches Copies Immediately were
transmitted to President Wilson at
Hot Springs, and the department dis
patched requests for information to
its representatives at Alexandra.
Egypt. and other points, where sur
vivors might be landed or Were de-
tails might be available from other
,, sources.
Lansing 10 Mum.
In the absence of specific details.
Secretary Lansing tonight declined to
comment on the sinking Of the Per.
sia. He made it clear that until the
nationality of the submarine lad
been established and the circum-
stances of the attack were known,
no action would be taken. He appar-
| emily was viewing the situation with
an open mind.
Brother With metooely.
Charlotte, N. c.. IAN. l-Ao6off
McNeely. the United 9tatss co1Gnl
on board the torpedoed shiA rsesia,
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