The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-01-04

that a submarine was responsible for
the sinking Of the Persia and still
see a remote possibility that the yes
sci might have struck a floating mine
which had drifted to hat part of the
sea from some adjacent field of OPP
erations. The report that the liner
was carrying a AZ gun served to re-
vive consideration of the position
taken by the United States in regard
to armed merchantmen.
In the early days of the war il was
announced that merchant ships be-
longing to belligerents might be al
lowed TO enter and leave American
waters with guns of six incl calibre
or hess. mounted upon their sterns.
1t that time cruisers OF the Central
powers had not been swept from the
sea Later Great Britain and France
at the suggestion OF the United States
agreed that their ships coming into
American ports should not be armed.
thus eliminating the possibility of a
controversy over that point so far as
vessels plying out OF ports OF the
United States We're concerned.
Might Change Situation.
Since then all war craft of the leu
tonic allies. with the exception OF sui
marines. nave disappeared from the
high eas Consequently, IL Is consid-
cred in some quarters that merchant
men carrying gun even of small cali
Der and astern. might be considered
prepared for resisting a hostile sub
marine.
Secretary Lansing and other officials
have considered this view with great
carefulness. The secretary said today
he was not prepared 10 the
attitude OF the United States on this
point in the future. II is understood
that he was awaiting an opportunity
10 discuss b matter and its various
qualifications with President Wilson.
The Italian ambassador. Count di
Cellers, called on Mr.. Lansing during
the afternoon seeking information on
the question. He was referred to the
position taken by the United States at
the beginning OF the war. which was
IN line with the provisions of The
Hague convention permitting arma-
ment for defensive purposes.
During a later discussion OF the sub
jet Secretary Lansing revealed that
Germany had abandoned its conten-
ton that the Lusitania was an armed
merchantmen. This claim was orlgi-
nally made in Justification of the sink
ing Of that ship and affidavits were
presented to -substantiate II. The ani-
davits were proven TO be false. how
ever. n Mr.. Lansing indicated that
Germany had dropped the contention
sometime ago.
Jap Ambassador Calls.
The japanese ambassador. Niscount
Chinda. also called on the secretary.
his purpose was to obtain any details
which might have been received re-
garding the sinking OF the japanese
liner Yasaka Maru. The secretary had
no new reports OF importance lie in.
dicated later that no action would be
taken by the United States in that
case. az least at this time. But one
person aboard tho Yasaka Maru was
supposed 10 be an American citizen
Tie was W J Leigh 4 dispatch re-
ceivod today from Consul Carrots At
Alexandria informed the State depart
ment that Leigh. who was horn
In China ~ American parents. never
had elected 10 claim American citizen
ship Ills status may mo subject Of
further representation. however. AZ ~
is pointed ont that the United states
maintains extra territorial iurisdic.
lion in China and if Leigh Wa born
Of American parents within no. iuris
diciont 81 any American consul in
China be could bo considered an
American eileen unless ho elected fo
become a subject ~ some other nation