On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 24, 4 January 1916, Page 5

On the Sea

THE TORPEDOED PERSIA.

SUNK SN FIVE MINUTES. SOME OF THE DETAILS. (United Press Association.] . Washington. January 2. Tile State Department learns that the Persia was torpedoed without warning and sunk in five minutes. Mr M‘Neely, American Consul to Aden, was lost.

London; Januarv 2

The Persia’s passengers included Mr J. De Heu/i. who booked for Auckland. His fate is uncertain.

Approximately 3.'0 of the Persia’s passengers and crew are missing. Two boats full of people were drawn down, there being no time to cut the ropes. The waves almost immediately washed tlie Persia’s deck and sifep*. the passengers and crew into the sea. Hon. C. Bigham sank, and on rising bumped Ids head against a boat and was thus saved. He telegraphed as follows:—“We were struck on the port how. Xo attempt was made to assist us. It was impossible to lower the starboard boats owing to the heavy list. Five or six of the port boats were lowered. The conduct of passengers and crew were splendid; there was no struggling or panic. A British warship picked up four boat§ afloat after being adrift 30 hours. Delhi. January 2. The sinking of the Persia has sent a severe shock throughout India, heeling strongly condemns any peace until the* eiioivy is entirely crushed. Cairo, January 2. The survivors include ten military officers. The vessel was struck amidships at one o’clock in the afternoon and disappeared in live .minutes. The miracle is that so many were saved. Four boats were lowered with the greatest promptitude. The captain was drowned, and was last seen swimming about after the liner’s plunge.

FULL SATISFACTION PROMISED IF (Received 11.25 a.m.) Washington, January 3. The Austrian Charge D’Affaires assured President Mil son that if it uas proved that an Anstraiu submarine sank the Persia full satisfaction and reparation would bo given the I nited States. PRESS COMMENT. London, January 2. The Daily Telegraph says that prompt upon the opening of the > ear lias come another act of monstrous atrocity, as if. our enemies arc under a fatal’compulsion to repeatedly remind humanity of what Germanism means, and what their success in tlm war would mean, if Austro-Genna frightfulness decrees it. If the bus, ness of their navy is to sink liner; , it is tlie business of diplomats to construct defence ai'tctnvards; The sinking c f the Persia deepens* the (loathing wherewith Germany is now regarded throughout the civilised world. The New York Herald says that in the policy of frightfulness the AustroGermans are tarred with the same brush. The Tribune says: Is President \\ dson still too proud to light t Ho-v man v more murders of women and children are needed to convince the nation that there is no escape from its duty. Action was wanted more than records, Wfid enquiries.

JAPANESE AND BRITISH LOSSES. (Received 9.50 a.m.) London, January 3. The Japanese steamer Kenko Main was sunk. All hands.were saved. The British steamer Glengyle was sunk, one hundred being saved.