THE LUSITANIA CRIME.

Taihape Daily Times, 21 October 1918, Page 6

THE LUSITANIA CRIME.

"But while in this lawsuit there may be no recovery the United States of America will remember the rights of those affected by the sinking of the Lusitania, and when the time shall come will see to it that reparation shall be made for. one of the most indefensible acts of modern times." Thus the Federal District Court of New York in a voluminous decision written by Judge Julius M. Mayer, wlro dismisses without costs claims in 67 suits, for damages of approximately £1,200,000, brought against the Cunj ard Steamship Company as a result lof the sinking of the Lusitania. Tnrs lis the first time that an American I Court has had the opportunity to pass I' judgment directly upon the various contentions advanced in regard to the Lusitania atrocity. Judge Mayer upholds the standpoint of the British f owners of the Lusitania that the act; I was an act of piracy and of the common enemy of mankind. In his verdict, he states that when the German Government destroyed the Lusitania it committed "an inexpressibly covrardly act,' 'which was the violation or all laws governing civilised warfare at sea. The Court, in the course of a year's litigation, has thoroughly Investigated the arguments of some of the claimants that the "Lusitania 'was painted like a transport,'' carried ammunition and high explosives, I and was improperly navigated while passing through the submarine-infest-ed waters of the Irish coast. The decision holds that the Cunard Company is blameless of negligence. It finds no cause for censuring, but many reasons for praising, Captain Turner, his officers, and crew.