The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-01-07
President Woodrow Wilson Will
Not Take hasty Action
SOME POINTS LACKING
Two Uncertainties Exist; United
States Is Not Sure of Sub
marine Nationality

Washington, January 5.-Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary of
State Lansing had an hours con-
ference today in regard to the
critical international situation
produced by the sinking of the
Persia. The president hopes with
in the next twenty-fcur hours to
get some additional light on the
situation in communication
from Frederick c. Penfield, the
American ambassador at Vienna.
Washington, January 5.-Two
resolutions to reduce the risks of
Americans travelling on the high
seas, were introduced by Senator
Gore, democrat today. One would
prohibit the issuing of passports for
travel on the ships of beIIieerent
nations and the other would re-
strict the carrying of passengers
on munition- laden ships.
Londcn, January 5,-An Amster-
dam dispatch to the Exchange Tele-
graph company says that the Ameri-
can ambassador at Berlin, James Ger
ard, conferred with The officials al
the foreign Office concerning the sink
ing of the steamship Persia. Ambas-
sador Gerard was said to have in
CURED about the nationality of the
submarine which sunk the Persia.
Washington, Jan. 5.-Two big un
certainties existing in the minds oil
President Wilson and his advisers ap
pear to stand in the way of an imme
diate climax in the submarine issue
These uncertainties are:
First Whether the United States
government can prove, on evidence oil
fact, that the British liner Persia was
sunk by a submarine and fix the ma
tionality of the submarine.
Second Whether this government
on tno basis of International law, car
contend that passeR2,s.5r liners armed
fof defense, is entitled to immunity
from attack without warming
Until the American government is
certain of its ground on these two
points it's final position cannot be de
termined with respect to a demand fol
redress in the case of the Persia OF
to the future policy of the United
States on the whole submarine con
troversy.
This, is is said in state department
circles, represents the problem that
must be solved, despite assurances is
sued from the White House following
the return of President Wilson from
Hot Springs, that there will be no un
toward delay in determining the
course of action to be followed.
After comforting with President Viii
son, Secretary Lansing sent orders
to the American consuls at Alexan
dria, Malta and Cairo to gether al
once all available affidavits from the
Persia survivors and to cable sum
maries.
Persia Had Gun Aboard
1t was indicated at the state depart
ment that the fact that the Persia had
gun aboard when it went down might
be an important feature in the case
and that future developments possibly
might warrant the United States in
advising American citizens not tt
travel aboard armed merchant ships
even though they are armed for de
tense only.
Secretary Lansing is of the opinion
that much defends upon what use, il
any, was made of the Persia's gun
There was an intimation that should
it be established that the Persia was
torpedoed by an Austrian submarine
the United States might decide that il
TO attempt were made to use the CUR
the act was without Justification. II
however. it should be shown that the
crew attempted to use or did use the
gun, the United States might con
slider that the commander of the sub
marine had right to torpedo the yes
sci.
At The Capitol there was manifested
degree of anxiety among Democrats
as well as Republican members of the
senate, which, of itself, may operate
as curb against any precipitate &C
tion. Opinions in the upper branch
appear to differ as to the right course
for the president to pursue, but there
are several leading Democrats who
are more or less outspoken against
any action which will force a diplo
matte break with any of the powers
at war