Lusitania Sunk.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 284, 10 May 1915, Page 5

Lusitania Sunk.

TORPEDOED OFF IRELAND. IN HALF AN HOUR. : 1 1506 LIVES LOST. !.' •-. . r MANY AMERICANS PERISH. SURVIVORS DIE AFTER ; RESCUE. A WORLD-WIDE SENSATION. Press Association. —Extraordinary. Received May 9, 0.45 a.m. ' , v New York, May S. The Lusitania was torpedoed and sunk off Kinsale, Ireland. The Lusitania received no warning.

There.were 2lGopassengers#on board. There are 658 survivors, and 115' bodies have been recovered. Nearly all the first-class passengers perished. STORY OF THE TRAGEDY. ' / VESSEL QUICKLY DISAPPEARS .106 AMERICANS J.OST. ! . CAPTAIN TURNER SAVED. Received May 0, 10 a.m. - London, May 8. was thought fhe ship would float, but <,ghe sanjt in less than thirty nututes. There was perfect weather, a hot s'in and a gentle southerly breeze. ' ' According to the best available information;, the Lusitania was torpedoed at about {two o'clock. The signalmen at Kinsalj Head % observed the liner in difficultiesjat 2.12.' Apparently the first wireless for,help was not picked up at Queenstown until three minutes later.

Kinsale reported at 2.33 that the vo» ; . sel had disappeared. Twenty boats were counted on tlic scene immediately after. All the Lusitania's boats were capable carrying from fifty to sixty each. It fs known the liner carried more than sufficient boats to accommodate her passengeip ,and crew.

In the meanwhile Admiral Coke ordered four naval vessels and all available tags, trawlers, and lifeboats from •Qtjeeaptown to help, and summoned all neighboring stations. Many motOT-hoals wfere prominent in rescue work.' A Greek steamer was among the fir-t ftfi the scene. She towed boats towards the harbor. A motor boat rescued fifty people and transferred them to the Admiralty tug Storincock, and then returned and towed in several boats. a Soon the fleets of the Lusitania'boats slowly moved shorewards and i 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 ports.

Scarcely any event in the war Ins caused the same profound in\pression in London.

The threats prior to sailing were lightly dismissed. Even tlie submarine activity near Kins-ale during the last few days did not cause anxiety, the public pinning their faith to the liner's spee.l. The first rfunors were frankly discredited, and ,the official confirmation produced a shock. v , Most people were unable t;> realise, that a great. disaster had happened,'bili •lowly the facts were accepted. The ime question asked was liow many w ire saved, and the absence of information

deepened anxiety. Distressed inquirers besieged the Cnnard oiiices, including many American-,. There \*ere heart-rending scenes. L'lie •oliicials were for some hours without t usfßnnationi : The crowds in Coekspur ntrett increased hourly, the: oflices remaining open all night. _ Captain Turner was saved, but nearly all the ollicers perished. Captain W. F. Turner began as a •cabin boy forty years ago. He has commanded most of the large Cunard steamers, and was soon to be given commanl of the Aquitania. Twenty-two passengers who were rescued have 'lied. One hundred and six A;iu>r;ear.s P-f----ished. . r Thp passengers .included: — ; Mr. 1). A. Thomas, the Welsh coal ting. Lady Maekworth. Mr. Staekhouse, the explorer. The Rev. l'.asil Matnrin. • Mr. and ll«. J. C. Mackay, of Auckland, New Zealand. Mr. Charles Klein, tlie playwright. Mr. Justus Foreman, the author. Tlie Lusitania carried IST American •passengers.

THE REASON FOR NO WARNING. ARMS AND AMMUNITION « CARRIED. Ecceivcd May j), 30,15 a.m. Xcv York". May f*. 'Americans on hoard the J.ii-itanU melude Mr. Alfred «Ivrymi" Yaii-Wliilt. >1". Charles Uowrin.L', and -Mr. Klhcrt Hu'i.bard. Tne canro was valued at I'ljD.OfiO. . .Tile Press demands that the United •States should tijke immediate steps to

safeguard the lives of its citizens travelling abroad, pointing out that the United States never recognised the war zone arouiul 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. VESSEL MAKES HEAVY LIST. SURVIVORS iN PITIABLE CONDITION. Received May 0, 3 p.m. London, May S. . The Press Bureau states that "270 first-class British passengers and 725 other Britishers were on (ioard the Lusitania. . Immediately, the Lusitania. struck she tooK a heavy list. .Those who made for the port side had very little chance. The first-class passengers were lunching at the time of the disaster. -.till the survivors are in a pitiable condition.

MANY PITIABLE SCENES. PLIGHT OF THE SURVIVORS. A THEATRICAL PARTY MISSING. received May <l, 3.15 p. m _ London, May S. There are some complaints at the absence cf armed escorts for large liners approaching the ecfyst. [ The first and sqctfnd oflicers and sixtyseven members of the crew, includin"' lout- stewardesses, were saved.' ° The Lusitania v.'as struck' on the starboard. ■ l'ive boats readied Queenstown late 011 Fridav 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. • Th«r missing include Mr. Elbert Hubbard, the author, and his wife; also a whole theatrical company, which was recently touring the play, '">£ Pair of SilkStockings." e Mrs. Bandson and Mr. Frederick Lasseter are among the passengers saved.

PIRACY UNEQUALLED. AMERICA MUST TAKE ACTION. THE NEWS IN BERLIN. Received Mav 9, 3.30 p.m. Xew York, May S. 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 J.usitaniji's destruction was fixed for that day. . LWr. Theodore Roosevelt says tile ease of . the Lusitania piracy on a vaster scale of murder than any old-time pirate ever practised. It seems inconceivable, he says, that America can refrain from action. "We owe it both to humanity and to our national self-re-spect,"' he concluded. 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 impression is that England got what she deserves.

... A WARNING CRASH. LINER SHIVERS THROUGHOUT. NO MORE SURVIVORS. •Received May !), i>.?s p.m. Xow York, May S. i The Bishop of London has cabled to the Xew \ ork Tribune that the sinking of the Lusitania is a colossal crime, staining the reputation of its perpetrator.-, tor ever. A Marconi station interrupted a German wireless message from the New jVork World to llerr liallin, 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-Americans. Your reply will be of incalculable benefit to Germany at tilis crisis." ; Survivors stated there was a great .crash. Wives and children were, separated. At- first then; was confusion, but no panic, and all quickly recovered selfpossession. The liner shivered from steni to stern. There was no chance of her making shore',vanl. and she settled immediately. Hie list was so great that the passengers feared she would capsize. It was impossible to launch the port boats. V,"omen and children were placed in tile boats first, and the women saved visited the Queenstown Quays carle this morning to learn if their husbands and children were saved. ]'orty-!ive more have been landed at Qwenstown from a drifter. The Adi'iiraih- announces that there n little hope of there beinj* more, survivors.

AMERICAN PRESS INDIGNANT. A COLD-BLOODED OUTRAGE. GERMAN PRESTIGE RIDDLED. iuM'civf'd M;»y i 0. (J p.m. .Vow York, M:iv .S. The JTemlil savs that tlio sinking oF t'lo Ln-itaiiia was a cohl-hlooded. premeditated outrage. The warnnie' letters and telegrams revealing (hat f!ermany contemplated this IrL'h-hunded,

bloody act, reveal a which makes one turn sickened as from a work of wholesale human butchers of mediaeval days. The article . says a way out may be found for the United States, with dignity and honor, and without bloodshed. The Times, in an article headed "War by Assassination," says that' in the history of Avar no single deed 'is comparable in inhumanity 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 we are compelled to take," continue.'; the article, "should recall the Germans to a sense of reason in the eyes of the world. The Germans mayi in extenuation' claim that fair warning was given, Vet murder does not become innocent or innocuous because the victim has been warned and lie nersists in exercising his lawful right. Xo single act of the war has so outraged American opinion or so riddled Germany's prestige, and decades will pass before. 'Germany will live down her criminal record.

TIRPITZ CONGRATULATED. VON SPEEvAVENGED. ' COMPENSATION FOR AMERICANS. CANADIAN OPINION. GERMANY AN OUTLAW. AMERICAN INDIGNATION. Received May 10, 12.15 a.m. I Amsterdam, May S. The Cologne Gazette, while deprecating the drowning of non-combatants, says England will doubtless make a-ter-rible outcry against, the so-called barbarous warfare, but will say nothing about the great quantity of war .material for the Allies which was 011 board the Lusitania. Moreover, two twelve-centimetre guns were mounted 011 the vessel. A Berlin telegram says' Admiral von Tirnitz received hundreds of tele;,'rams congratulating him on his success. The newspapers regard the sinking of the Lusitania as Germany's answer to the destruction of Admiral von Spec's squadron. They say nothing about the deatiis of Americans. (Some hint that if any ui the latter are Inst Germany will be only too glad to compensate the relatives. Ottawa, May 8. Mr. George Foster, the Acting-Premier, said the sinking of the Lusitania aa act of fiends contravening all the usages of \\ar. In the worst days of piracy piratic would have scorned such a deed. A plot, was undoubtedly carefully planned. Such : villainy shocked the" world. The British people would refuse to be intimidated by such yutragos, but neutral nations must now sef- exactly how Germany was an outlaw among nations. Only one iield was left the German War Lord to exploit, namely private assassination. Doubtless' this would seen be entered upon. \A ashington has asked Berlin to report regarding the Lusitania based-on a statement from the submarine commander.

Pespite President V- ilsnn's appeal for coolnesa high officials declare the situation is very grave. Public opinion is rapidly reaclii ng a pitch of excitement. The pp':ss comments .'in the bitterest terms on the Government's supineness in tlie face of an appalling disaster. Indications are growing of an outburst against the Germans. Many Canadians were lost. There are few cities in the Dominion which have not been visited by bereavements. New York, May 8.

Tlie Tribune says the nation which remembered .Maim, cannot forget the Lusitania.

TORPEDO GOES THROUGH VESSEL. A SECOND TORPEDO FOLLOWS. INTENSE HOSTILITY TO GERMANS IN AMERICA. AMERICA WANTS DETAILS FROM BERLIN. Received May Hi, P2.10 a.m. London, May. [he Admiralty denies the statement that the Lusitank carried j-wn. A .Mansion House fund ,has been Opened. Violent hostility Mas shown to (ier,man members on tlie .New York Mtock hxdmnjro. several wore thrown out oi the building. .Many passengers on tho Lusitania were stupefied by fumes from the torpedo. Uelnre the vessel made tlie finai plunge the stern rose in the aiv for several minutes. Stoker Tonner, who escaped from the Titanic, states t!iafc a torpedo went through the,engineroom. A few moments later a torpedo struck the port side, su<rj»estinjj that there were two submarines Jyin«r in wait. Air. (.'oupiT, a Toronto journalist, caught a glimpse of a eonninir tower a thousand \ards away. lie 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 immediate]'.- the passengers into the lioats and everything "was done in an orderly manner. Some boats could not lie launched awl liad to be cut awar> as the vessel was sinking. They contained a larae numbei of women from the second class and about forty billies. .Mr. I). A. Thomas state.-, that Lady Mack-worth wa; picked up unconscious after Mug in tile water hours. She has recovered.

The l.usitania was torpedoed fifteen miles oil' the shore. She .headed shorcwards after she was struck, but sank in fifteen nnnut.es. lie oulv heard one torpedo. Tile captain remained on the hrhlfre to the la-t and went down villi the vessel. A lilllicit kept; liiui afloat for throe hours till lie was rescued.

r l'he following names on the Xiaga va's list appear on the Ijiisitanhrs list: —Mr. p.nd Mrs. A. I.earoyd. Mr. W. liailey, .\sr. Sntherst, Mr., Mrs., a m[ "Master Seville, and .Mrs. lU'ickhani. Tiie survivors include Mrs, T.caroyd and maid. Washington. 'Mav !l. ill'. Gerard (A'.iicrir.in Ambassador at

Berlin) sias been instructed to inquire if Germany is responsible for the Lusitania's loss, together with the loss of the Americans 011 board. If so, details are wanted. . . ■

Public indignation is growing in intensity. There is extra police protection around the German and Austrian Embassies. Count Bernstorff annouecs that if the Lusitania was disarmed before lu-r destruction Germany was not advised of the fact. V

(Kinsale Head, where the disaster recurred, is a promontory 011 the snuih of Ireland, -which is in the direct rente to Quccnstown (Cork Harbor). The Lusitania was a Cunavd liner, built in 11)07. ller tonnage was :!J.5511, and her speed 25 knots. She was 7<i2 feet long, S7 feet broad, and had a depth of oli feet.)

NO COMMENT FROM PRESIDENT. "HE WHO LAUGHS LAST Washington, May 7. W-ien informed that the Lusitania hail been sunk, President IWilson refused to comment 011 it. '.me State Department admitted that a tremendous sensation would be caused throughout the United States if American lives had been lost. London, '.May 7When leaving .New York the captain laughed at the German threats. " We are too fast for them," he said. HIGH COMrssroNEU'S CABLES. London, May 8. Forty-five more survivors from the Lusitania landed at Queenstown from a drifter. The Admiralty deny that the Lusitania was armed. The Admiralty state that the total survivors from the Lusitania wore 058, and possibly fishing boats have a few more. Firty-fivc dead have been landed, and trawlers signal that they are bringing a hundred more bodies. Only a few first-class passengers were "saved. The ship sank in fifteen to twenty-fire minutes. It is reported she was struck by! two torpedoes. The Cunard Company give the number op board as 21(10, including British Sj'i, American 188, Russians 02, and some French, Italians, Jielgians, Persians, Greeks and Scandinavians. AUSTRALIAN COMMENTS. INTEUX'MEXT OF GERMANS LURED. ■Received -May 10, -12.51) a.m. Sydney. 'May 0. The sinking of the Lusitania has created a universal feeling of horror. The continual issue of special editions w<ere eagerly sought. The press and. public ask what has Washington to say to Germany's latest outrage against civilisation, Christianity and neutrality. The Sunday Times bitterly protests against the freedom allowed Germans and demands immediate internment of every German. * They are a potential menace and the present moderation is criminal.