DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

THE TORPEDOING OF THE BRITISH STEAM­
SHIP "PERSIA."
Pile No. 841.857P43/
Consul General Skinner to the Secretary of State.
[Telegram.]
AMERICAN CONSULATE,
London, January 1, 1916.
First.
P. and O. Liner Persia reported sunk, submarine, while
approaching Alexandria.
Kobert N. McNeely, American consul, Aden, going to
post, left London as passenger.
Nearly all on board perished.
File No. 841.867P43/
The Secretary of State to Consul Garrels. 1
[Telegram.]
SKINNER.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, January 1, 1916.
P. and O. liner Persia reported submarined while approaching
Alexandria. McNeely, Consul, Aden, among
passengers. Report promptly concerning him and other
Americans with all obtainable details.
File No. 841.857P43/3.
Consul Garrels to the Secretary of State.
[Telegram.]
LANSING.
AMERICAN CONSULATE,
Alexandria, January 1, 1916.
P. and O. liner Persia carrying 4.7 gun sunk five minutes
past one afternoon December thirtieth about three
hundred miles northwest Alexandria. Presumably torpedo,
no submarine.was seen, second officer Bromley seeing
torpedo track. Vessel sunk in about five minutes.
Two American citizens aboard. ' Charles H. Grant, Manager
Vacuum Oil Company, Calcutta, is safe Alexandria.
Robert Ney McNeely, assigned Consul of the United States
at Aden, most probably lost. Of a total four hundred
passengers and crew one hundred fifty-five landed Alexandria
January one. McNeely last seen in water. In
view of the facts sunken vessel being armed does the Department
desire the affidavits.
1 American consul at Alexandria.
GARRELS.
131