The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-06
PROOF LACKING THAT
U-BOAT SANK LINER
Ambassador Page Reports
Probable Loss Of Takoma
Park Man on Persia.
Continued from First FAge,)

Continued from First FAge.)
seen oy survivors whose aefidavits
We're taken! Consul Garrels said. lie
advised the department that he Will
to Washington mt once. 1t is presumed
that the affidavit of The second Of
1cer Of the Persia that he saw =
"strcak In the water" before the Ves-
SCI was struck was among those OBJ
tanned.
The testimony of British officer
will not. officials say. give the United
States the legal proof desired.
Official information shows that the
testimony the greatest reliance would
be placed. Is able to add little, toward
establishing facts: Grant was in the
dining saloon when the vessel was
AFFIDAVIT that he heard an explosion
before the Persia was sunk He did
not see submarine.
Realizing that 1t has little to expect
from the Persia survivors. officials
turned their activities toward Fastening
a report from Ambassador Penfeld
Definite instructions to Penfield were to
ask the Austrian government IL the
Persia was sunk sby an Austrian sub
marine. Penheld was instructed to urge
the Austrian government to give the
operation Of its submarines in the Medi-
terranean.
To Await Advices.
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-
STA case. but neither will he deny It,.
When told that press dispatches said
Gerard had requested Berlin for in
formation regarding the Persia, MIR.
Lansing merely said that he did mot
know Ambassador Gerard had done sc"
Secretary Lansing read the dispatches,
received today to President Wilson over
the telephone before making public an
nouncement of their receipt.
1t was said later at the White House
and State Department that the Govern
ment will take no action until further
Penfield.
The White House has been keeping in
closest touch with public sentiment, as
evidenced tY the debate In Congress and
by new spaper commit. The unanimity
OF opinion apparently prevailing that
Austria Is 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 gun, the Admins
tration is said to be convinced that the
Persia was torpedoed, that the attack
was wholly unjustified from any stand
point since no attempt was made to use
the gun on the Persia, and no effort was
made to attack submarine. and that
not only will Austria and her central
powers be held to accountability, but
that definite steps will be taken by
the United States to compel those
powers to live up to their pledges in flu
ture submarine operations.
The Rev. DIR. salisbury was on MS
way back TO his missionary post at
Lucknow, India, after attending the
Seventh Day Adventists' general con-
ference. held recently in California.
With the added gravity OF thk Persia
case and the relations of United States
with the central powers at a critical
point because of other submarine de.
velopments, feeling "A Congress over the
international situation has by no means
exhausted itself in the Senate debate
late yesterday.
This sudden explosion of surcharged
sentiment in which Senator Jones and
others expounded the view that Ameri.
cans who Fisked their lives on be!liger.
emit SHIPS were uNpdlIlOllCs Is likely tC
be followed by others at any time. The
efforts of the President 20 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 num-
Der of members are eagerly awaiting
an opening to voice their views on sub
marine war, on the rights OF Americans
on the seas, the duty of Americans II
this crisis. on the proposed embargo OF
arms and munitions. and on the conduct
OF Great Britain toward American trade
Mexican discussion, too, Is bound L
break out and cause bitterness
The Senate Philippine bill Is expected
TO force to the front more or less dis
cussion Of the 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 woulc
probably have been potent 70 brtnI