The Lusitania Tragedy

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 8, 10 May 1915, Page 7

The Lusitania Tragedy

STORY OF THE TRAGEDY.

OVER 1508 LIVES LOST World-wide Indignation. (Press Association Extraordinary.) LONDON, May 8. The Press Bureau reports: There were 2100 aboard the Lusitania and the survivors numbered 658. 145 bodies have been brought in. Nearly all the first-class passengers «/ perished. London, Bth May, 8.10 p.m. The Admiralty state total survivor* Lusitania 638. Possibly fishing boats have a few more. They landed 45 dead, and the trawlers signal that they are bringing 100 more bodies. Only a few of the first-class passengers were saved. Ihe ship sank in 15 to 25 minutes. It is repoited she was stiuck by two torpedoes. The Cunard Company give the number on board, as 2160, including British 956, American* 188, Russians 62, and some rrench, Italians, Belgians, Persians, Greeks and Scandivanians. The Prime Minister has received the following from the High Commissioner under date London, May 8, 3.15 p.m ; Forty-five more survivors landed at Queenstown from a drifter. Ihe Admiralty deny the Lusitania was armed.

Those who made for the port side had very little chance. The first-class passengers were lunching at the time ot the disaster. v AII the survivors are iu a pitiable condition, There arc some complaints at the absence of armed escorts for largo liners approaching the coast. The first and second officers and six-ty-seven members of the crew, including four stewardesses, were saved, j The Lusitania was struck on the starboard side. Five boats reached Queenstown late on Friday night. There were pitiable scenes of barefooted men and women, thinly clad, and soaked through, with seaweed clinging to them. A Greek lady, who is an expert swimmer, swam a long time before she was rescued. The missing include Mr Elbert Hubhard, the author, and his wife; also a whole theatrical company, which was recently touring the play, “A Pair of (Silk Stockings.” , Mrs Bandson and Mr Frederick Lasseter are among the passengers saved. The Admiralty denies the statement that the Lusitania carried guns. A Mansion House fund has been opened. A'iolent hostility was shown to German members on the New York Stock Exchange. Several were thrown out of the building. Many passengers on the Lusitania were stupefied by fumes (from the torpedo. Before the vessel made the final plunge the stern rose high in the; -air for several minutes. Stoker Tenner, who escaped from tlie Titanic, states that a torpedo went right through the engine-room. A few moments later a torpedo struck the port side, suggesting that there were two submarines lying in wait. Mr Cowper, a Toronto journalist, caught a glimpse of a conning tower a thousand yards away. He then noticed the track of a torpedo. The Lusitania was struck forward. A loud explosion took place, and portions of the splintered hull were sent flying in the air. A few seconds later another torpedo struck her. The crew immediately got the passengers into the boats and everything was done in an orderly manner. Some boats could not be launched and had to be cut away, as the vessel was sinking. They contained a large number of women from the second class and about forty babies. Mr 1). A. Thomas states that Lady Mackworth was picked up unconscious after being in the water 3$ hours. She has recovered. The Lusitania was torpedoed lil teen miles off the shore. She headed shorewards after she was struck, hut sank in fifteen minutes. He only heard one torpedo. The captain remained on the bridge to the last and went down with the vessel. A lifebelt kept him afloat for three hours till he was rescued. The following names on the Niagara’s list appear on the Lusitania’s list:—Mr and Mrs C. A. Loaroyd, Mr W. Bailey, Mr Sutberst. Mr, Mrs, Miss and Master Neville, and Mrs Wickham. The survivors include Mrs Lcaroyd and maid. REPORTS FROM AMERICA. Washington, May 9. Mr Gerard ( American Ambassador at Berlin) has boon instructed to inquire if Germany is responsible for the Lusitania’s loss, together with the loss ol the Americans on board. If so, details are wanted. Public indignation is growing iu intensity. There is extra police protection around the German and Austrian Embassies. Count Bernstorff announces that if the Lusitania was disarmed before her destruction Germany was not advised oi the fact. New York, May 8. There is a disposition among high officials to await the British Admiralty’s report regarding the Lusitania. One official at Washington was told positively on Friday morning that the ' Lusitania’s destruction was fixed for \ that day. Mr Theodore Roosevelt says the case of the Lusitania represents piracy on a vaster scale of murder than any old-

United Pbebb Association Louth).i, May 8. It was thought the ship would float, but she sank in less than thirty minutes. There was perfect weather, a hot suu and a gentle southerly breeze. According to the best available information, the Lusitania was torpedoed at about two o’clock. The signalmen at Kinsale Head observed the liner in difficulties at 2.12. Apparently the first wireless for help was not picked up at Queenstown until three minutes later. Kinsale reported at 2.-13 that the vessel had disappeared. Twenty boats wore counted on the scene immediately after. All the LusitamVs boats were capable of carrying from fifty to sixty each. It is known the liner carried more than sufficient boats to accommodate her passengers and crew. In the meanwhile Admiral Coke ordered four naval vessels and all available tugs, trawlers, and lifeboats from Queenstown to help, and summoned all neighboring stations. Many motor-boats were prominent in rescue work. A Greek steamer was among the first on the scene. She towed boats towards the harbor. A motor boat rescued fifty people and transferred them to the Admiralty tug Stormcock, and then returned and towed in several boats. Soon the fleets of the Lusitania’s boats slowly moved shorewards, and a fleet of motors was despatched from Cork to meet the survivors. The wounded were soon placed in hospital, where several died. The survivors landed at various points. j Scarcely any event in the war has caused the same profound impression in London. The threats prior to sailing were lightly dismissed. Even the submarine activity near Kinsale during the last few days did not cause anxiety, the public pinning their faith to the liner’s speed. The first rumors were frankly discredited, and the official confirmation produced a shock. Most people were unable to realise that a great disaster had happened, but tlie facts were accepted. The one question asked was how many were saved, and the absence ot iniormation deepened anxiety. Distressed inquirers beseiged the Cunard offices, including many Americans. There were heart-rending scenes. The officials were for (some hours without information. The crowds in Cockspur Street increased the offices remaining open all night. Captain Turner was saved, but nearly all the officers perished. Captain W. E. Turner began as a cabin boy forty years ago. Ho has commanded most of the large Cunard steamers, and was soon to be given command of the Aquitania, Twenty-two passengers who were rescued have died. One hundred and six Americans perished. The passengers included : Mr D. A. Thomas, Welsh coal king. Lady Mackworth. Mr Stackhouse, the explorer. The ltov. Basil Maturin. Mr and Mrs J. C. Mucky, of Auckland, Now Zealand. Mr Charles Klein, the playwright. Mr Justus Foreman, the author. The Lusitania carried 187 American passengers. The Press Bureau states that 279 first-class British passengers and 725 other Britishers were on hoard the Lusitania. Immediately the Lusitania struck she took a heavy list.

I time pirate ever practised. It scorns inconceivable, lie says. that America can retrain from action. “Vie owe it I both to humanity and to our national sell-respect,” he concluded. The Bishop of London has cabled to [the New York Tribune that the sinking of the Lusitania is a colossal crime, staining the reputation of its perpetrators for ever, A Marconi station interrupted a Gorman wireless message from the New York World to Herr Ballin, the German steamship magnate, saying: “We believe a message from you will be one that will be viewed as a justification for the destruction of the Lusitania by millions of German-Ameri-cans. Your reply will be of incalculable benefit to Germany at this crisis.” Survivors stated that there was a great crash. Wives and children were separated. At first there was confusion, but no panic, and all quickly recovered self-possession. The liner shivered from stem to stern. There was no chance ol her making shoreward, and she settled immediately. The list was so great that the passengers feared she would capsize. It was impossible to launch the port boats. Women and children were placed in the boats first, and the women saved visited the Queenstown Quays early this morning to learn if their husbands and children were saved. The Admiralty announce that there is little hope of there being more survivors. Americans on board the Lusitania include Air Alfred Vanderbilt, Mr Charles Bowring, and Mr Elbert Hubbard. The cargo was valued at £150,000. The Press demands that th© United States should take immediate steps to safeguard the lives oi its citizens'lnivelliug abroad, pointing out that tbo United States, never recognised the war zone around Great Britain. It refers to the German Embassy’s warning to passengers on the Lusitania to refrain from making the voyage, as evidence of a plot known to Germans weeks ahead. The German Embassy announced that as the Lusitania carried arms and ammunition it was unnecessary to give a warning before attack. The British Embassy announced that she carried ammunition, otherwise she might have been interned in American waters as a warship. AMERICAN PRESS COMMENT. New York, May 8. The Herald says that the sinking of the • Lusitania was a cold-blooded, premediated outrage. The warning letters and telegrams revealing that. Germany contemplated this highhanded, bloody act, reveal a callourness which makes one turn sickened as from a work of wholesale human butchers of mediaeval days. The article says a way out may bo found for the United States with dignity and honor, and without hloodshel. The Times, in an article headed “War by Assassination,” says that hi the history of war no single deed is comparable in humanity with this horror. Germany has fallen within the scope of President Wilson’s admonition. There must be further communication with Germany, and something more than a protest and a hope. “The notice wo are compelled to take,” continiies the article, should recall the Germans to a sense of reason in the eyes of the world. The Germans may in extenuation claim that fair warning was given, yet murder does not become innocent or innocous because tlio victim lias been warned and he persists in exercising his lawful right. No single act of. the war lias so outraged American opinion or so riddled Germany’s prestige, and decades will pass before Germany will live down her criminal record. A GERMAN TRIUMPH. Copenhagen, May 8. Berlin telegrams state that the, newspapers print in colossal type news of the loss of the Lusitania. They regard the use of the torpedo as a new triumph of the German naval policy. The general impresion is that England got what she deserves. Amsterdam, May 8. The Cologne Gazette, while deprecating the drowning of non-combat-ants, says England will doubtless make a terrible outcry against the so-called barbarour warfare, but will say nothing about the groat quantity of war material for the Allies which was on hoard the Lusitania. Moreover, two twelve-centimetre guns were mounted on tho vessel. A Berlin telegram says Admiral von Tirpitz received hundreds of telegrams congratulating him on his success. Tho newspapers regard the sinking of the Lusitania as Germany’s answer to tin* destruction of Admiral von •Spec’s squardron. They say nothing about the deaths of Americans. Some hint that if any of the latter are lost Germany will he only too glad to compensate tho relatives. “AN ACT OF FIENDS.” Ottawa, May 8. Mr George Foster, the Acting-Pre-mier, said the sinking of the Lusitania was an act of fiends contravening all

/lie usages of war. Jn tlie worst days )[’ piracy pirates would liave ■seorped ,ucli a deed. A plot was undoubtedly ■arot'ully planned. Such villainy Mocked the world. The Hritish peo>]o would refuse to he intimidated by ,licit outrages, but neutral nations .mist now see exactly how Germany vas an outlaw among nations. Duly me field was left the Herman Mai Lord to exploit, namely private as•assination. Doubtless this would non be entered upon. Washington has ashed Berlin to (.port regarding the Lusitania based m a statement from,the submarine ommander. Despite President M ilson’s appeal or coolness high officials declare the ituatipu is very grave. Public opmon is rapidly reaching a pitch of excitement. The press comments in the bitterest terms on the Government s ■iiipinenoss in the face of an appalling lisastcr. Indications are growing of an outjnrst against tlio Germans. Many Gaifadiaiis were lost. I here ,rc few cities in the Dominion which iave nut ’been visited by uercavcaicnts. Now York, .May 8. Tiie Tribune says the nation which remembered Maine cannot forget the uUsitania. AUSTRALIAN PRESS COMMENT. Sydney, May 9. The sinking of the Lusitania has .•rented a universal feeling of horror, the continual issue of special editions .vere eagerly sought. Ihe press anc. public ask what has Washington to ;ay to Germany’s latest outrage ,gainst civilisation, Christianity (Old neutrality. The Sunday Times bitterly protests against the freedom allowed Germans md demands immediate internment! of every German. They are a potential menace and the present modulation is criminal.