DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

134 CASE OF THE PERSIA.
plosion. None of the officers of the Persia were interviewed.
Those who had not gone ashore had retired.
Mr. Grant then told me that Consul McNeely, of Aden,
had been on board. Mr. Grant stated that he and Consul
McNeely were at luncheon when the explosion occurred.
Both hurried to their cabins for life belts. Consul
McNeely's cabin was on the port side on the deck above
the dining salon, at the entrance to which they parted.
Mr. Grant did not see Mr. McNeely again. One of the
survivors told Mr. Grant that he had seen the Consul
swimming, but Mr. Grant could not recall who his informant
was.
Commander Blakely having kindly extended the hospitality
of the Des Moines to Mr. Grant, I conducted him
aboard, where he remained until his departure for Cairo,
on January 6, 1916.
My telegram to the Department sent at 11 o'clock on
January 1st, 1916, contained all of the details it was possible
to gather at that time.
On the morning of January 2, 1916, telegrams from the
Department and Consul General Skinner at London requesting
information in regard to the disaster were received.
Prompt replies were transmitted.
The Department's telegram of January 3, 1916, stating
that affidavits were desired, was received about noon
January 4th. Unfortunately, the officers and lascar
crew had already left Alexandria and were on their way
to England via Port Said, Malta, and Marseilles. A telegram
immediately despatched to Port Said arrived too
late for the Consular Agent there to see the party. The
Consul at Malta has been requested to interview the
party on arrival there and obtain the desired affidavits.
In the event of his failure, he has been asked to communicate
with the Consul General at Marseilles.
The affidavits obtained here are being transmitted with
separate despatch to-day.
I have, etc.,
File No. 841.857P43/31.
ARTHUR GARRELS.
Consul Keblinger to the Secretary of State.
No. 42.] AMERICAN CONSULATE,
Valetta, January 9, 1916.
SIR: In accordance with the Department's telegraphic
instruction of January 6, 1916, I have the honor to enclose
herewith affidavits of Lord Montagu of Boileau,
Ship's Steward Chailes Leonard Martin and Mr. Mafessanti
Benvenuto, survivors of the British steamer Persia
which was sunk in the Mediterranean December 30, 1915,
about 1.10 p. m.
A summary of the statements contained in the affidavits
were cabled to the Department to-day, a confirmation
copy of the telegram being attached hereto.
As stated in the telegram Mr. Alexander Clark and
seven Indians of the crew, survivors of the Persia were
sent from Malta after only a short detention.
I have, etc.,
WILBUR KEBLINGER.
•