The Washington times., 1916-01-03
CONGRESSMEN WAIT
FORFACTSoN PERSIA
Admit Disaster Presents Serious
Situation, But Advise Criti-
cism Be Withheld. "r.

Consrcssmen 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 IL an Austrian sub
marine sank the Persia. shc should not
be criticised too severely until all the
circumstances are reported. for since
sending the last note OH the Ancona
case she has not had time to reach all
her submsrin commanders with in
structions.
Senator stone OF Missouri. chairman
OF the Committee on Foreign Relations,
said:
'If it is true that A submarine sank
the steamer without warning, Of course,
1t was a monstrous outrage on human
ity''
senator Salisbury of Delaware:
Il would say | 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.
Senator Sutherland of Utah:
''lt is very regrcttable that the sink
ing Of the Persia should occur at this
time. The situation on its@face looks
very scrious:'
Senator McCunber OF South Dakota:
Il would like to know the conditions
which surrounded toe attack before
passing Judgment upon II. On the STR
face the situation looks bad. If a Sub
marine attacked the Persia 1ithout
warning 1t would seem that President
Wilson must spend the rest of his life
eterIal'y protesting OF take some dras-
tic action
Repre- sentative Cooper q: Wisconsin
THE attack on the Persia vas re
2rctt able, but ii is inCst regrettable that
something cannot be done to stop the
war
Senator Borah of Idaho:
From the reports 50 far received II
looks like another very serious affair:
Representative McKelar'of of Tennessee:
'If il is true that the Persia was tor
I.edoed without warning. it vas an IN
sp"akablc outrage. Members of Congress
with whom | have talked are standing
behind tie President"
Must Make Amends.
Senator Ovcrman of North Carolina:
The nation that perpetrated that out
rage will have to apologize and 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, If the reports
arc true, without warning, Killed him
and other non -comba tants.T This .coun-
try cannot stand for that sort of thing:
We have rights at sea, and the fresl-
dent will demand that they be respect.
cd Mr.. McNeely stood first i'll the ex-
animation for consularship. h.
worked his way through college and
was ambitious to serve his country
Senator Fletcher of Florida:
IF an Austrian or German subma-
rine was responsible for the attack, a
most serious situation is again thrust
upon this country. such an attack ~
view of TIE note just received from
Vienna, would be utterly inconsistent
and must be repudiated by Austria.
Senator Jones OF Washington:
Nobody knows who did 1t or what
we're the circumstances of the attac1.
It seems to me our people should stor
assuming that the wrong thing has
happened, In my judgment j. Is rnr,s oH;
until the close OF the European war
Would Warn Americans.
Il would favor the issuance Of /
warning TO all American citizens to keep
off bellieerent ships, not because they
have not a right to travel on them. hpt
because they have no right to in! o,vt;
tho whole country Iii grave international
conlpl ca tons.
Republican Leader Mann. OF the
House:
1t is TOO delicate mattef 10 uscNsS
without knowing the facts
Representative Robert \. Page. D.
crat. Of the Seventh North Carolina dis
trict in which Waxhaw. the home OF
Consul McNeely Is located:
The attack on the Persia was
great outrage. if the report that a sub
marine made it without warning is true
II it was an Austrian submarine that
did it ! look for Austris to say that
she had not had time to Teach her com
marders since the reply to the Pres.
dents last note to the Vienna govern
.nent was handed to our ambassador III
Ni.nna. She will, If she has the .'iSht
Scrse Of honor. make amends for ner
most recent outrage. 7 am afraid that
Young Mr.. McNeely, who was 3 splendid