New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-04-27
APPROVES SENATE PROBE
Son of w. T. Stead Thinks In.
quiry Is Well Conducted.
ROUGH. BUT EFFICACI0US
Says Irascible Newspaper Com.
ment Does Not Reflect Brit.
ish Public's Sentiments.
fBy Gable to The Tribune. |

London. April 26.-'The growlings OF
Parliament and the irascible comments of
the newspapers relative to the Washington
inquiry into the loss OF the Titanic do not
| reflect the sentiment OF the British public -
said Alfred Stead to-day. Mr.. Stead ha
been chosen to succeed his father as editor
| or The Review of Reviews and enters
upon his duties at once He intends in his
hrst number appearing May u. to discuss
the Titanic disaster and begin a campaign
TO bring the British merchant marine up
TO the highest practicable level OF secur-
| ity."
Nhat the people at large want" con-
| tinued the young editor. lis all the infor-
NATION obtainable as to travel at sea The
newspapers tell us that Senator Smith ~ a
backwoodsman.' ignorant of all nautical
affairs. do not care If he is a Red Indian.
HIS ignorance, If II exists, Is excusable ig-
norance. whereas the ignorance OF officers
and seamen Of their duties Is criminal neg
| ligence
Let Senator Smith and his COLLEAGUES
drag out all the facts they can, DOING tho
work brutally II necessary. Judicial in :.
| quIries often elicit facts so deIicateIy
that the public is not impressed. The
inquiry at Washington is OF tho rouoh
and ready sort which makes everybody
understand
THE shortcomings OF the British Board
Of Trade are apparent; the shortcomings
OF the responsible men on the Titanic were
! appalling. Disaster came upon them like
thief in the night and found them UNI
| prepared. Their guilt need not be proved
I The company acknowledged its guilt and
! all the other companies are acknowledging
their guilt by a mad rush to obtain more
boats 10 give all the passengers and every
member OF the crews at least a fignting
! chance for life.
We desire TO know whether money is
standing in the way OF vessels being con-
structed in accordance with principles IN.
, surfing greater safety than anything ye,
known
| The Nation" alone among the weekly
reviews which Will appear tomorrow finds
much that is praiseworthy in the Senatorial
| Investigation at Washington into the
Titanic disaster. Under the heading Hot
and Cold Facts" The Nation" says:
! II would have been a deplorable mistake
| TO permit even a week to pass between the
| occurrence and Its record from the mouths
| OF survivors. II we are to get the truth
| II Is absolutely essential to secure as much
| az possible OF the primary unrefectve and
unguarded Impressions and expressions OF
/ those present at the scene.
! II is the opinion OF THE Nation" how
ever. that the stately and well-ordered tri
bunal' TO be presi1ed over by Lord Mersey
head OF the British court OF inquiry into
the disaster will obtain a more accurate
and coherent account OF the sinking Of the
4 -
! and essential characteristics OF the truth.
The Saturday Review" which always Is
a hostile critic OF everything American. says
the United states Senatorial committee Is
, acting in delnace OF all precedent and OF
/ international law and without regard tC
decency Is exacerhating the sufferngs OF
| the British survivors Of the Titanic The
paper denies the commuters right 10 de-
| tain Englishmen IA witnesses. Some Of the
! terms II applies to Senator Smith. chair
/ man Of the investigating committee. are
! clustering ignoramus' and ignorant bul.
| ~" and It calls on the British government
/ TO protect fits subjects.
The Spectator" thinks the Senate com.
mittee is not worthy the body from which
II proceeds"
Calls Inquiry a Burlesque.
Tho Outlook" comedies that the prompt
American inquiry is relief TO strained
nerves. but It questions the legality OF the
tribunal. which II terms a burlesque by
Senatorial busybodies"
The Times says:
We all feel that the circumstances arc
unprecedented, and although the. inquiry
! by the Senate and the compulsory detention
OF British subjects seem strange, yet me
| American desire for a prompt ard search
| ing investigation is perfectly natural and
| the Senate is within its rights.
| The criticism here Is directed rather t'