New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-05
Seeks Full Facts"
Before Acting in
Persia Case
ORDERS CONSULS
TO GET REPORTS
Will Obtain Affdavits of
Survivors - Senate
Split in Crisis.

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Jan. 4.-President
Wilson changed from the attitude he
had taken in previous crises and con-
ferred to-day on the Teutonic situa-
ton with the chairmen of the For
eign Relations committees Of the
Senate and House. lie will discuss
the situation with the whole COM
mittees as soon as he has decided
what action seems desirable, it is
understood. \
Soon after the Presidents return
to the White House, Secretary Tu-
multy issued this statement:
The President and Secretary Of
State are taking every means possi-
bic to obtain full facts in this grave
matter, and will act just as soon as
information is obtained"
The State Department took no ac-
tion to-day in any of the matters in
volved, and avoided committing It.
self on the technical questions Of
American rights which have been
raised. The Cabinet meeting and
the meeting of the Foreign Relations
Committee were postponed and the
Senate adjourned after five minutes,
thus preventing any official discus
sion Of the situation.
These facts taken together, stu.
dents of the situation here believe.
show that the President is undecided
what course to pursue. He spent a
great part of the day going over
dispatches and in discussion or the
question. but no intimation as 10 any
definite action came from any Of
those near him.
Uncertainty Prevails.
Mr.. Wilson's attitude was re-
fected in the State Department ana
throughout the administration. The
crisis was referred TO as grave" in
Secretary Tumulty's statement, and
as serious" and delicate by other
officials. At the same time. every ef-
fort was made 20 point out that
nothing had developed that would
"ncces sarily" involve this country
and that assurances had been given
from the Austrian Embassy Of a
satisfactory settlement The details
Of closing the Ancona case were con-
tinued and no official would admit
that there was any definite cloud on
the diplomatic horizon.
At the State Department the hope
was expressed that there would be op-
portunity TO settle the crisis amicably,
and it was stated that the American
government believed that Austria's as
surances in the last Ancona note were
given in good faith.
Two points, it was emphasized. must
be cleared up before the next move was
made Il must be established whether
the Persia actually was torpedoed, and,
If so, what was the nationality Of the
submarine
The President directed Secretary
Lansing TO gather more information
from the Persia survivors The Secre-
tsry ordered the consuls az Alexandria,
Malta and Cairo TO obtain affidsyits and
at once cable summaries Of their con-
tents. Until that information is re-
ceiyed, or Ambassador Penfeld reports
some result from his inquiry TO the
Austrian government, the situation, so
far as can be seen tonight, will be az a
standstill.
Meanwhile. however, there is discus.
sion Of what steps the United States
may take to make clear 20 the Central
Powers the extent 20 which IL expects
TO hold them responsible for submarine
operations in violation Of international
law, be they conducted by Germans,
Austrians, Turks or Bulgars.
Warn Teutonic Allies.
Austria's plea that she knew nothing
official of the outcome OF the submarine
contro' r.y with Germany is recalled
By one % officials, who favor taking
action winch nigh, forestall similar
plea by the other allies when the
United States has finished with Austria.
Something definite along that line prob
ably will be developed soon.
II was disclosed to-day that the
United States already had delivered 20
the American diplomatic representa-
tiyes in Turkey and Bulgaria and 20 the
Turkish and Bulgarian diplomats here
copies Of the submarine correspondence
: with Germany This Is taken as an in.
/ dication that they viii bee KEEP, In.
formed OF futu' developments.
officials refused 70 discuss or 10 con