The Washington times., 1916-01-03

There concealng the fact that the gravest anxiety
s felt in official circles generally AT the White House and
State Department tension everywhere manifest The
opinion to be that unless general understand
ing is reached with all the central powers once will be
impossible to avert break.
Both Ambassador Penfield at Vienna and Ambassador
Gerard at Berlin have been directed to make inquiries of
the Austrian and German governments for any nforma-
ton they have on the Persia attack.
TO FIX RESPONSIBILITY
The United States wants particularly to know wheth-
er either of these governments acknowledges the attack
and is going to defend it, whether both governments will
say that mine was responsible.
Baron Zwiedenek the Austrian charge daffaireS
who has expressed confidence that Austria will be able to
give satisfactory explanation to the United States if the
Persia was sunk by Austrian submarine conferred for
some time this afternoon with Secretary of State Lansing
but declined on leaving to say anything 1t was 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 Bernstor the Ger
man ambassador who is expected also to call on Mr. Lans
ing.
Both Zwiedenek and Secretary Lansing refused to
discuss the object of the formers visit but it 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 through press
dispatches The Secretary gave the charge all the nfor
Later in the day Baron ZWiedenek said:
81 feel just today as did Saturday upon the
arrival of the Ancona note, that American and Austrian
relations will continue friendly 1t seems to have been
geNey overlooked that there has been an inten-
ton on 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 situations Except to say that he would un-
doubtedly confer with the President after the laers re-
turn to Washington the Senator would not discuss the new
developments Secretary to the President Tumulty also
had long talk with Mr. Lansing, during which, un
derstood he transmitted certain instructions which the
President gave him over the telephone this morning
INFORMATION is LIMITED.
Thus far with the exception of brief dispatches from
Ambassador Page, at Rome and the American consul ar
MarseilleS France confirming the sinking of the Persia
the information of the department is limited to the follow
ing cahlegramS The first is from Consul GarreS at AL
.exandria:
"P. & o. liner Persia, carrying Al gun, sunk
hve minutes past one afternoon December 80, about
90 miles northwest Alexandra. Presumably tor
edo,, no submarine was seen, Second Officer Brom-
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
fonSul OF the United States at Aden most probably
lost. Of total 400 passengers and crew, 155 landed
Alexandra, January 1. McNeeIy last seen in water
III view OF the TACT SunKen vessel being armed, does
the department desire the affidavtS?
"GARRELS, Consul"
The second cablegram to the State Department came
from Consul Arnold at Cairo, and was as follows:
up. & o. steamer Persia torpedoed forty miles
southeast of Crete, Thursday O5 P. M without
retary, Bgham 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, Mallard. Reported that Amer-
can consul, proceeding to post at Alden, lost Details
given me by high commissioner, whose military Sec
desired. ARNOLD1
Consul Arnold has been instructed to get the affidavit
and adavitS have also been asked from Consul GarreS
The>Uned States particularly anxious to obtain an ac
for