Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-01-04
President HurrieS to Capital
to Assume Control Of Situa-
ton Recognized as Most
Critical,
SEARCH FOR ALL FACTS
BEGUN BY LANSING
Just Possible That Steamer
Persia Was Sunk by Mine,
Naval Experts Say, but Not
Probable.
.ov aosnlso JOURNAL opacl., LEASED w,ael

tBv noRhlHd JOURNAL 9PEciIt LEASED wiaEl
Washington, Jan. 3.--Presidont
Wilson started to Washington from
Hot Springs. Va, tonight to take per-
sonal dhargc OF the nations foreign
affairs Yin the new crisis brought
about by the sinking of the British
steamship Persia with a loss of ut
least one American life. The situa-
ton is regarded in official circles rs
being the most serious to confront this
government since the submarine op
erations Of the central powers be-
gan.
The president probably will lay the
facts thus far established before his
cabinet tomorrow The destruction
of the Persia, following closely upon
the crisis precipitated by the Ancona
disaster. may result in the United
States determining to settle immedi-
ately all the questions involved in the
submarine warfare The subject is
expected to find its way to the floor
of the house and senate tomorrow
when congress rccOnvenes after the
holidays.
ilumri,s Back 10 Capital.
President Wilson decided to cut
short his honeymoon and return to
the capital at once after telephone
conferences with Secretary Lansing
and Mr.. Tumulty his private secre-
tary. 1t was found, however, that he
could not conveniently start until S:45
tonight ne should arrive at Z o'clock
tomorrow morning.
The United States is represented as
being prepared and determined TO
alge any ,e,ion that The facts con-
corning the Persia, yet to be estab-
lished, may warrant. Officials still
are trying to view the situation with
open mind, but it is apparent that
they are disturbed by the reports re-
ceiycd from consular agents at Alex
andria ana cairo. Egypt. Every cf-
fort will he made to establish the
truth of the report that the Persia
was torpedoed without warning. Sec
retary Lansing contemplates taking no
steps until the complete details are
known.
Austrian Assurances Given.
Officials find one source of salts
faction in assurances given by Baron
Erich Zweidnek, charge of the Aus
tro- Hungarian embassy, to Secretary
Lansing during q conference today at
the state department. Baron Zwiedin-
ek Is said to have suggested that judg-
mont be withheld until the facts were
known and to have expressed the be-
lief that the final explanation of the
latest incident would be satisfactory.
He is said to have assured the secre-
tary of his belief that If an Austrian
submarine commander violated the
principles Of International law and the
rules of humanity his government
would be quick to take action which
F,.If .,T., No.. F,,tt stnV.
Baron Zwiednek also sought informa-
ton for the benefit of his govern
ment
Inquiry in Vienna.
Secretary Lansing today instructed
Ambassador Penfield. ut Vienna, toI
make informal inquiries which might
lead to the establishment of the iden-
tty of the submarine which sank the
Persia or the receipt of information
concerning the circumstances of the
attack.
The secretary acted upon an inti-
nation received from an undisclosed
source that no submarines of other
than Austrian nationality we're known
10 be operating near the point where
the Persia went down.
No specific instructions were given
to Ambassador Penfield. He is eN-
pected 10 proceed as he thinks best
and forward any information obtain- /
able
Might Have Struck Mine.
Officials here are not finally con-
WINGED that a submarine was respon-
shlc for the sinking of the Persia and
still see a remote possibility that the
vessel might have struck floating
mine which had drifted to that part ,
Of the sea from adjacent fields of op- !
crations. The report that the liner
was carrying a 4.7-inch gun served 10
revive consideration of the position
taken by the United States in regard .
to the armed merchantmen In the
early days of the war it was announc-
cd that merchant ships belonging To
bcllgerents might be allowed TO enter
and leave American waters with guns
Of six inch caliber or less, mounted
upon their sterns. At that time cruls-
ors Of the central powers had not been
swept from the seas Later Great
Britain and France, at the suggestion
of the United States. agreed that their
ships coming into American waters
should not be armed, thus eliminating
the possibility OF a controversy on
that point so far as vessels plying out
of ports Of the United States were
concerned
Question of Armament.
Since then all war craft of the Teu-
tonic allies, with the exception ot
submarines. have disappeared from
the high seas. Consequently it Is con-
sidered IN some quarters that mer-
ehantmon mounting guns even OF
small ealiber and astern might be con-
sidered prepared for resisting hos
tile submarine. Secretary Lansing and
other officials have considered this
view with great earcfulness. The Sec
rotary said today lie waa not pfepaf-
I'd "a answer rs 10 the attitude Of the
United States an this point In the fu-
iufe. II is understood tnat he was
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