The Washington times., 1916-01-04

there will be an Identical note served OF
all Germanic powers that the United
states. Its endurance and patience we'll
nigh exhausted by acts i'm conflict will
promises. now demands. once and fol
all. a thorough understanding of how
far each and all of the central powers
are going to abide by the rules of hu
manity and international law
At the same time there are strong
Indications that the United states
will address to the entente powers
Its belicf that under the circum-
stances OF submarine warfare, pas
sengers should not be carried on
liners armed with guns.
The DISPATCHES received at the De-
partment of Ctate TODAY from Skinner
and Keblinger did not throw much ad-
ditional light on the main points which
tho United States is desiring to clear
up. The one from Consul General Skin
ner at London stated that in the Of
fetal list of survivors from the Persia,
Uublished bv the British admiralty. the
Same of Consul McNeelv does not ap-
par. although the name Of Charles
Kcblinger at Malta said in substance:
ELEVEN survivors of the Persia
landed at Malta anuary 3. in
cluding. Lord Montacu.. Seven OF
picked ND. clinging TO n damaged
lifeboat. by the Chinese steamer
Hing Chow. All say the Persia
was torpedoed without warning
linger to get affidavits from all survi-
vors. Ambassador Penfield. at Vienna,
who has been directed to inquire of the
Austrian government as to what II
knows of the attack on the Persia,
has not been heard from as yet. Because
~ s1n Of nnr MI L
believed he did not get the message
from washington until today.
Nor has the department received any
confirmation of the sinking OF other
liners and flyighters reported to have
been sent to the bottom by submarines
since the Persia was sunk.
Although admitting that the Amcri-
can Government is still without deff-
mite proof that the Persia was torpe-
docd or struck a mine. officials Of the
department are skeptical e the mine
theory, in view of the fact that the
Persia, when sunk was zoo miles from
the nearest port of any Of the enterlte
powers, namely Alexandria They are
unable to believe that a mine field had
been planted so far from any belhger-
ont harbor.
On the contrary, with press reports
continuing to pile in regarding the con-
tinued submarine activities in the East
ern Mediterranean, officials are be.
coming more and more convinced that
Austrian submarine commanders, i5-
nor1ng the fair promises of the govern
ment at Vienna to the United States,
are desperately trying 20 sink as many
ships Of the enemy as possible before
they are forced by their government
to call q halt.
In connection with the statement
issued at the White House this morn
ing, officials recalled similar state
ments Issued by the President at the
time of the Lusitania crisis. On May
8, 1915, Immediately after the Lusi-
tania was sunk, Secretary Tumulty.
after conference with the President,
gave out the following:
"Of course, the President feels the
distress and the gravity of the sit
uation to the utmOst, and is consid-
ertng very earnestly, but very CALM
Iy, the right course to pursue. He
knows that the people of the cOun-
try wish and expect him to act with
deliberatiOn and hrmness."
Four days later when the course OF
action had been determined upon, the
White House issued the following:
"The course Of the President has
been determined. 1t will be announce
ed Just as soon as 1t Is proper to
publish the note in preparation"
The text of the first note to Ger
many was published a few days later.