The Washington times., 1916-01-03
TOFIX RESPONSIBILITY.

~ FIX RESPONSIBILITY Y.
The United States wants particularly to know Wheth-
either of these governments acknowledges the attack
and is going to defend it, or whether both governments will
say that mine responsible
Baron Zwiedenek, the Austrian charge daftareS,
who has expressed confidence that Austria will be able to
give satisfactory explanation to the United States if the
Persia sunk by Austrian submarine conferred for
time this afternoon with Secretary of State Lansing,
but declined on leaving to say anything 1t evident,
however, that he had been impressed with the gravity of
the whole situation viewed by the United States. The
charge conferred later with Count Bernsor the Ger
ambassador who is expected also to call on Mr. LanS
ing.
Both Zwieienek and Secretary Lansing refused to
discuss the object of the formers visit but was learned
the Austrian charge had called to ask for any details this
Government might have regarding the Persia. The in
formation of the Austrian embassy has come through press
dispatches The Secretary gave the charge all the nor
nation in hand from consuls abroad
Later in the day Baron Zwiedenek said
81 feel Just as sure today as did Saturday upon the
arrival of the Ancona note that American and Austrian
relations will continue friendly 1t to have been
genelly overlooked that there has been nten-
ton the part of submarine commanders to torpedo ships
without warning'
Before the Austrian called, Senator Stone, chairman
of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee called and
discussed the situation Except to say that he would
doubtedly confer with the President after the atters
turn to Washington the Senator would not discuss the new
Developments Secretary to the President Tunulty also
had long talk with Mr. Lansing, during which, it is
derstood he transmitted certain instructions which the
President gave him the telephone this morning.
INFORMATION is LIMITED.
Thus far with the exception of brief dispatches from
Ambassador Page, at Rome and the American consul az
Marseles France, confirming the sinking of the Persia
the information of the department is limited to the follow
inpc first a
exandria:
"P & O. liner Persia, carrying AZ gun, sunk
five minutes past one afternoon, December 80, about
90 miles northwest Alexandria. Presumably tor
'edo, no submarine was seen, Second Officer Bron-
ey seeing torpedo track.Vessel sunk in about five
minutes Two American citizens aboard. Charles
t. Grant, manager Vacuum Oil Co., Calcutta is
afe, Alexandria, Robert Nay McNeely, assigned
tonsul of the United States at Alden, most probably
lost OF total 400 passengers and crew, i55 landed
Alexandria, January T.. McNeey last seen in water
In view of the fact Sunken vessel being armed does
the department desire the affdavitS?
"GARRELS Consult
The second cablegram to the State Department came
from Consul Arnold at Cairo, and was as follows:
"P & O. steamer Persia torpedoed forty miles
southeast of Crete, Thursday, los P. M. without
retary, Bigham, is survivor. Can obtain affidavit if
warning. Nationality submarine unknown as not
visible Sank in five minutes About $50 passengers
and crew, including many women and Children about
$50 saved. Survivors picked up after thirty hours
by British destroyer, Malard Reported that Alneri-
can consul, proceeding to post at Alden, lost. Details
given me by high commissioner, whose military
desired ARNOLD"
Consul Arnold has been instructed to get the affidavit
and atdavtS have also been asked from Consul GarreS
The>Uned States is particularly anxious to obtain
count of the attack from Grant, hope for McNeey having
been abandoned.
is NOT ESTABLISHED.
Regarding the importance of the gun on board the
Persia, the State Department inmated today that while
in reference to beigerent merchant vessels leaving ports
of the United States this Government has taken the posi-
ton that they have the right to mount guns for "deenSvt
purposes it has not definitely been established what the
position will be with respect to armed liners attacked By
bmarineS
ZWedenek it was later learned, assured Mr.. LanS
that Austrian submarine commanders had never beer
rlcted t0rnedn merchant vessels without Warnino