The Washington times., 1916-01-06
PROOF LACKING THAT
U-B0AT SANK LINER
Ambassador Page Reports
Probable Loss of Takoma
Park Man on Persia.
Continued from First FAge.D J


seen py survivors, whose arddavits
advised the department that he Will
cable the substance Of these affdaNits
to Washington mt once. 1t is presumed
that the affidavit of The second Of
"strcak in the water" before the ves-
sci was struck was among those OBJ
tanned.
The testimony Of British officer:
States the legal proof desired
Official information shows that the
American survivor, Grant. on whose
testimony the greatest reliance would
establishing facts; Grant was in the
dining saloon when the vessel was
struck. He is reported to have made
affidavit that he heard an explosion
not see a submarine.
Realizing that it has little to expect
from the Persia survivors. officials
turned their activities toward Fastening
report from Ambassador Penfield
Definite instructions to Penfield were to
ask the Austrian government IL the
Persia was sunk sby an Austrian sub
marine. Penfield was instructed to urge
the Austrian government to give the
United States full Information as to the
terrancan.
10 Await AdHlCeS.
Secretary Lansing will not admit that
he has instructed Ambassador Gerard
to make any representations to the Ber-
lin foreign office with regard to the Per-
sa case. but neither will he deny it.
When told that press dispatches said
Gerard had requested Berlin for in
formation regarding the Persia. Mr..
Lansing merely said that he did mot
know Ambassador Gerard had done So
Secretary lansing read the dispatches,
received today to President Wilson over
the telephone before making public an
nouncemcnt of their receipt.
1t was said later at the White House
and State Department that the Govern
advices are received fro mAmbassador
Penfield.
Tho White House has been keeping in
closest touch with public sentiment, is
evidenced ~ the debate in Congress and
by newspaper commnt. The unanfmity
OF opinion apparently prevailing that
Austria IL responsible for the Persia
disaster and other recent submarine at
tacks in the Mediterra mean, and that
tho German foreign office is advised of
these submarine activities. has intlu-
enccd the President to feel. it is said.
that the country demands action on the
submarine issue.
No justification.
Regardless of the fact that no sub
marine was seen, or of the fact raised
in defense by Austrian diplomats that
the Persia carried a gun, the Admins
tration is said to be convinced that the
Persia was torpedoed, that the attack
was wholly unjustificd from any stand
point since no attempt was made to use
the gun on the Persia. and no effort was
made to attack n submarine. and that
Nil nd hn,, 1
powers be held TO accountab bility. but
that definite steps will be taken by
the United States to compel those
powers to live up to their pledges in fu-
ture submarine operations.
The Rev. DIR. Salisbury was on MS
way back 10 his missionary post at
LucknoN, India, after attending the
Seventh DaE Adventists' general con-
ference. held recently in California
With the added gravity Of the Persia
case and the relations of United States
with the central powers at a critical
point because of other submarine de-
velopments, feeling N Congress over the
international situation has by no means
exhausted itself in the Senate debate
late yesterday.
This sudden explosion of surchargcd
sentiment, in which Senator Jones and
others eXpounded the view that Ameri-
cans who risked their lives on be!liger-
ent ships were unpatriotic. Is likely to
be followed by others at any time. The
efforts of the President to restrain dis
cussion while the International situation
is delicate apparently will be futile in
the future as they were futile in re-
straining the debate OF yesterday.
Anxious For Debate.
Both in the Senate and House a mum,
Der of members are eagerly awaiting
an opening to voice their views on sub,
narine war. on the rights of Americans
on the seas, the duty of Americans il
this crisis on the proposed embargo OF
arms and munitions. and on the conduct
OF Great Britain coward American trade
Mexican discussion. too, is bound t
break out and cause bitterness.
The Senate Philippine bill is expected
to force TO the front more or less dis
cussion of tho situation of Japan with
respect to control Of the Pacific theateI
and dominating influence in China.
In the last Congress, a word from
President Wilson to the leaders would
probably have been potent TO brtnI