ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1916, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

LOSS OF THE PERSIA. 'AMERICAN CONSUL DROWJfED. Washington, Jan. 2. Tie State Department learns that itoe Persia was torpedoed without warning Md sunk in five minutes. Mr. Mlfeely, American Consul to Aden, VM lost. The Administration is aroused as it never was before by the torpedoing of the Persia at the moment of the supposed adjustment of the Ancona incident It recalls that while President Wilson was negotiating on the Lusitania massacre the Arabic was sunk. ' Officials feel that Austria,, since the Ancona reply, bad ample time to notify her submarines not to torpedo vessels before removing non-combatants. London, Jan. 2. The Persia's passengers included Mr. J. De Renzi, who booked for Auckland. His fate is uncertain. Lloyd's report that 153 survivors have arrived, consisting of 59 passengers, of Whom 17 are women, and 94 of the crew, of whom 59 were Lascars. DEATH ROLL MOUNTS UP. INDIA SHOCKED. Received Jan. 4, 12.30 ajn. London, Jan. 3. Approximately 390 of the Persia's passengers and crew are missing. TWo boats full of people were drawn 4own, there being no time to cut the ropes. The waves almost immediately washed the Persia's deck and swept the passengers and crew into the sea. Hon. C. Bigham sank, and on rising bumped his head against a boat and was thus saved. There are no tidings of the two other boats, which were launched, and it is feared that there are off further survivors. Delhi, Jan. 3. The sinking of the Persia has sent ft severe shock throughout India. Peeling strongly condemns any peace until the enemy is entirely crushed.

VESSEL SINKS IN FIVE MINUTES. THE CAPTAIN DROWNED. Received Jan. 3, 11.35 pjn. Cairo, Jan. 2. - The survivors include ten military officers. The vessel was struck amidships at one o'clock in the afternoon and disappeared in five minutes The miracle fa 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.

4 PRESS COMMENT ANGER IN AMERICA. Received Jan. 3, 7.10 p.m. London, Jan, 2. The Daily Telegraph says that prompt upon the opening of the year has come another act of monstrous atrocity, as if our enemies are under a fatal compulsion to repeatedly remind humanity of what Germanism means, and what th#f success in the war would mean, if ffiustro-Gennan frightfulness decrees it. .JJl'tSe business of their navy is to sink " liners, it is the business of diplomats to construct defence afterwards. The sinking of 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 AustroGeraans are tarred with the same brusn. The Tribune says: Is President Wilson still too proud to fight? How manv 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 and enquiries. A PASSENGER'S STORY. ADRIFT FOR 30 HOURS. Received Jan. 3, 10.35 p.m. London, Jan. 3. Hon. Charles Bighan, who -was a pas•engtr on the Persia, has telegraphed .- PWe were struck on the port bow. No attempt was made to assist us. It was impossible .to lower the starboard boats -Owing to the heavy list. Fire or Bix of the port were lowered. The conduct >rf-passengers and crew was splendid; there. Was no Struggling or panic. A w»rship picked up four boat* *M4 sf ttt M*ff adrift 80 hour* , » M