The Washington times., 1916-01-03
CONGRESSNEN WATT
FORFACTSOAPERSIA
Admit Disaster Presents Serious
Situation. But Advise criti-
Cism Be Withheld.

Congressman in washington today
manifested keen interest in the sinking
OF the Persia. Members Of the Foreign
Relations Committee expressed the hope
that careful investigation will improve
the aspects Of the case.
There is feeling among Congress
men, however. that II an Austrian Snb-
marine sank the Persia. she should not
be criticised too severely until all the
circumstances are reported. for since
sending the last note on the Ancona
case she has not had time to reach all
her submarine commanders with in
structions.
Senator Stone of Missouri, chairman
Of the Committee on Foreign Relations,
said:
III II is true that a submarine sank
the steamer without warning. OF course,
It was a monstrous outrage on human
ity" -
Senator salisbury Of Delaware:
II would say l cannot conceive. since
Austria wrote her reply to the second
Ancona note, how the Vienna govern
ment can avoid making an immediate
explanation Of the attack on the Per
sia.''
Case Looks Serious. D..
Senator Sutherland 0f Utah:
at is very regrettable that the sink
ing Of the Persia should occur-sAt this
time. The situation on itscfaee looks
Senator McCunbsr OF south Dakota:
Il would like to know the conditions
which surrounded the attack before
face the situation looks bad. IL a Sub
marine attacked the PeT6ia without
warning IL would seem that President
Wilson must spend the rest of his life
eternally protesting OF take some dras-
tic action."
Representative Cooper Of wisconsin
''1'he attack ON the Persia was re-
Rrettable, but it is most regrettable that
something cannot be done to stop the
war"
Senator Borah of Idaho:
Prom the reports 50 far received, II
looks like another very serious affair.
Representative McISellar. of Tennessee:
Elf It is true that the Persia was tor
Tedoed without warming. it was an IN
speakable outrage. Members of Congress
with whom l have talked are standing
| behind tie President" r
Must Make Amends.
Senator Overman Of North Carolina:
Tho nation that perpetrated that out
! rage will have to apologize Fand make
| other amends. Young McNeeley was
on his way to his post of duty. and had
| the protection OF the United States.
| submarine stole out, and. II the reports
| are true, without warning, ykllled MIN
| and other non-combatants.I This .coun
/ try cannot stand for that sort OF thing.
! dent will demand that they be respect
] ed Mr.. McNeely stood first in the ex"
1 animation for a consularship he
worked his way through college and
was ambitious to serve his country
Senator Fletcher OF Florida:
''It an Austrian or German subma-
rine was responsible for the attack,
most serious situation is again thrust
an Austrian submarine commander, in
| view of tfie note Just received from
| Vienna, would be utterly inconsistent
and must c be sspGtqiSHtss Hs snISygtoS sy nSe'r'@
Nobody knows who did 1t or what
we're The circumstances of the attacS
| It seems to me our people should STOP
| assuming that the wrong thing has
rng pSgptfSS; time for our people to stay home
until the close Of the European war
Would Warn Americans.
"I would favor the issuance Of 4
warning to all American citizens TO Keep
off belJigerent ships not because they
have not a right to travel on thcm. but
because they have no right to involve
the whole country In grave international
Republican, Leader Mann. OF the
House:
"It is too delicate a matter to discuss
without knowing the facts" ~t
Representative Robert y. Page: Demo~
crnt. of the Seventh North Carolina dis
trict in which waxhaw. the home -of
Consul McNeely is located:
""rhe attack on the Persia was a
great outrage. If the report that sub
marine made it without warning 10 true
If it was an Austrian submarine tha /
did it, look for Austria to say that
she had not had time to Teach her cam
manders since the reply to the PTesi-
dents last note to the Vienna govern
-nent was handed to our ambassador III
Vienna She will. II she has the light
sense OF honor make amends for net
, most recent outrsge. I am afraid that
Young Mr.. McNeely, who was ; splendid
! fellow and capable official, perished.