The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-04
ENGLISH COURT ID
 EMPHASIZE SPEED Sir Rufus Isaacs Addresses
 Wreck Commission DISREGARD WARNING
Great Interest Shown in Messages Warning Titanic That She Was in
 Neighborhood of Ice--Three
 Points to Be Emphasized

London, May 9.--Sir Rufus lsa 'cs, at torney general. addressed the wreck com mission which Is Investigating the loss of the White Star liner. Titanic today, setting forth the facts as understood by the government. laying especial emphasis upon the evidence that Q speed of 2l knots was maintained after the warnings of ice ahead had been received, right up to the moment of collision.
 The whole of the forenoon session was taken up with this statement. It brought out little that had not been already de- veloped at the senatorial inquiry at Wash ingt The attendance of spectators was small. group of sailors, survivors or the sea tragedy, who arrived here on the Lapland from New York, and had been subpoenaed to testify, were objects or interest.
 Seamens Union Represented
 When the court opened Lord Mersey, head of the commission, granted permls- sion to President Lewis of the Seamen union, and to an attorney for the Imperial Mercantile guild to participate in the pro- ceedings. The union ls new organzatlon composed of 4o0o Southamptor sailors
 Two hundred and twenty-eight of its members were employed on the Tltahlc. Of these only 17 survived. The officers of the Titanic were members of the guild. The inquiry is likely to extend over sew eral weeks. It will be devoted largely to technical details.
 Interest in Ice Warnings
 Court today displayed the greatest in- terest in the warnings of ice which tho Cu.ard liner Caronla and the White Star steamer Baltic sent to the Titanic on the day of the disaster, April fl.
 Am I right in supposing that she ran right into the region where the ice was, after a warning that ice was there had been reeeived?'
 Yes" replied thes attorney general.
 Sir Isaacs said tae Titanic's capacity was 3547 persons. and she carried II life boats, two cutters, four collapsible life boats, accommodating total of 1167 per- sons and 356O life belts.
 On her voyage the vessel carried 1916 passengers and s92 persons in her crew. She was fitted with b bulkheads and a number of watertight doors, designed to still float in event of any two adjoining compartments being flooded. under which condition the top of the bulkheads would be two and one-half to three feet above the water line.
 Never Slackened Speed
 The Tianicis speed on April II. the att tornsy general said, Has 21 knots per hour, which was never lessened up to the time of the collision. The Titanic received messages warning her ice fields were in her track.
 Nevertheless, continued Sir Rufus. after dark the Titanic ran right ahead as q knots. the night being clear, but with no moon."
 He said he had served notice upon Sir Robert Finley, counsel for the White Star company. who is representing the line at the present trial, that the gov ernment considered this fact of extreme importance so that Sir Robert might bring every pressure to bear in securing evidence
 Sir Rufus announced that particular at teention would be given to these three points, viz: the speed after the warnings; the insufflcieney of lfeboats, and the con- struction of the watertight compartments.
 Analyses Number Saved
 He gave detailed analysis of the num- bers saved and lost by recapituation of classes and sexes. He indicated that he considered that the disproportonate num- Der of first class passengers rescued should be a matter of inquiry It was eX- tremely difficult, the attorney general said to ascertain exactly what occurred between the moment of collision and the sinking of the liner.
 It appeared that there was no panic. The men took their boat stations accord ing to the list. The lifeboats were all lowered except the collapsibles, concern ing all of which there was no accurate evidence. Most of the boats did not have a full complement of persons. Had it not been for the wireless equipment of the vessel 1t was doubted if anybody or many persons would have been saved.
 Lord Mersey wished to know to how many officers warnings of the ice had been communicated Sir Rufus could not answer more definitely than probably the chief and first officers Lord Mersey also wished to know whether the vessels of other nations were compelled to carry more lifeboats than British ships.
 Sir Rufus could not say positively as to this, but said evidence would be offered. Court has arranged 10 adjourn the inquiry until Tuesday of next week.
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