File No. 841.857P43/14a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Austria-Hungary (Penfield)
1066. Having just received the reply of the Austro-Hungarian Government in the matter of the Ancona and having formed a most favorable impression of the friendly and reasonable attitude of the Government and of the probability of an amicable and satisfactory settlement, we are the more deeply disturbed by the news that reaches us of the destruction of the S. S. Persia. Please make immediate inquiry at the Foreign Office concerning the facts, express the grave solicitude of this Government, and seek assurances of [Page 144] early and very serious action on the part of the Austro-Hungarian Government in the case, in the spirit and upon the principles so frankly set forth in its last note to us concerning the Ancona.