The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-04
Will Ask How Far They
Mean to Observe Rules
Of International Law.
SUBMARINES SINK
FOUR MORE SHIPS
Entente to Be Urged to Bar
Mounted Guns Upon Pas
>cnger Ships.
CONGRESS- TO ACT:
WILSON BACK TO-DAY
German and Austrian En-
baSSips Declare Break
Is Unlikely.

ASHISCTOS, jan. o--ftbhous' du-
mitting that the continued submarine
activities in eastern Mediterranean
waters as evidenced by the reports to-
day Of the sinking OF the British mer-
chant vessel Glengyle and the Japa-
nese steamship Kenkon Maru NAV
make impossible a satisfactory ex-
planation OF the destruction OF the
liner Persia, State Department officials
are hopefu, that out OF the situation
may spring a new understanding be-
tween the United Statee and the
Teutonic allies on the subject Of sub
marine warfare.
Such an understanding will be aimed
at in steps which the United states 1t
ia in,imated in official quarters, 10
about to take in calling for genera!
statement from all the Central Powers.
including Turkey and Bulgaria. as TO
exactly how far they mean to observe
the rules Of international law.
Guns On ILners Opposed.
In the same quarters II is regardci
as more than probable that In the nssr
future the United states Government VIII
approach informally the entente fower-
with a view to getting them to agree
henceforth to permit no guns 10 pN
mounted on passenger liners
The purpose OF both these moves, no"
under consideration. responsible onic'ais
say is 10 safeguard the lives OF amer
can citizens who may be cofhpeieu "
,ake massage on the high seas on nei'
chant ships flying the hass OF oeise !.
nations II this end IL attained II
saId the sinking OF the Persia, tras'
no II was In the enormous toll OF hnfhaN
M. may after all prove blessing III
presiden, Wilson Is speeding back 10
washington on "A special train from hot
snrings, Va. where he has been speni
ing his honeymoon. He VIII -
Washington early to-morro" no,,mh
and will take charge or the en.r. ~
,ion Immediately after his arr''ai ne
vii, confer with Secretary OF state Ian
sInu II is also probable that ne wiz
d,.cu.. the situation with Chairman
W.u,iam = Stone OF the Senate commit
tee on Foreign Relations. IL Is hNe'.
ton that when Congress reconNehes "
noon tomorrow after its 'hr's''has re-
cess there will he general airing OF
views on the floors of both the HouSe
and Senate. IT,,
hass,es Tonight the prediction was con-
0dently made that the sinking or the
Persia will not lead to a break Nei'ner
MT the embassies nor at the STATE be
nar,ment has confirmation been received
of the reported sinking OF the frlt'sh
/ freighter Glengyle. nor OF the Japanese
liner Kenkon Maru. Unless Americans
u,.ra on hoard these two vessels. now
ny.r the United States can have no
interest in their fate. officials explained
zviediuek Calls ON Lansing.
Raron Zwiedinek. charge d'affaires oi
the Austrian Embassy. called on Secre'
tnry Lansing this afternoon. Accord
INC IN state Department ofiicials ne
raIIed merely to ask for further details
that might have been received ny tne
Department regarding the attack on the
Persia. From other sources. however
II was learned that the charge ex'
pressed confidence that II II IL shown
that the liner was sunk without warn
ing by an Austrian submarine the Aus
trian Government will not hesitate a
moment to disavow the act. punish the
commander and make reparation. Raror
ywIedinek IL said 10 have assured the
Secretary that II Ia the purpose or MS
Government In every way to i've uT
to the rules of International law a'
indorsed In Austria's reply to the Amer!'
can note on the sinking OF the Ancona
In state Department circles officials
are careful to state that 80 far the
American Government has no definite
proofs that the Persia was attacked ny
a submarine. 1t is regarded as sig
n,fcant, however. that Ambassador Pen
field at Vienna has been instructed IA
make inquiries OF the Austrian Admir-
atty,
Despite assurance given ny Germany
and the full Endorsement by Austria of
the principle Of international law con-
tended for by the United States. Prcsi-
/ dent Wilson and his advisers. according
to reliable information obtained to-night
are convinced that II further tragedies
or complications are to he avoided the
United states must have n complete and
uniform expression from all the Teutonic
allies az to how far they are prepared
to stand by the rights Of neutrals.
Germnny's Guara ntees.
This officials say. appears to he neces.
sary from what actually has occurred
In the development of the subra rins
issue. First, they say II was Germany
whose operations with the submarines
nearly dragged the United States into
the vortex Of the European war. Wher
relations between the United State arN
Germany reached a breaking point, II il
pointed out. Germany gave assuranc,
that she would conduct her submarine
warfare Ia accordare with the letter OF
the law. As result Of these guArante .,
Continued on Second PAGE.