New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-10
Liner Advised by Ad-
miraIty to Avoid
Usual Course.
SURVIVORS TELL
OF FCARELESSNESS
Declare They Were Not
Told What to Do if Ship
Was Struck.


London, May @ The Lusi:Spia might
have been saved. The Tribune corre-
spondents Investigations here reveal
state Of affairs which appear as
founding
The Admiralty did not, so far as has
yet been ascertained, actually order
the Lusitania to proceed up midchan-
mel instead Of following her usual
course close to shore. but she was ad-
vised to do so. Under such circum-
stances this advice, it is held, should
have suficed. Neither did the Lusi-
tania make over Is TO IS knots.
That wireless signals warning the
Lusitania of the dangerous area were
sent to her has been definitely estab-
lished. There is a growing amazement
tina. the warnings were not followed
aud q midchannel course taken. Inc
Lrstania got signals from both Cork
and the English coast.
Il is officially announced that the
British Board Of Trade, with the con-
currence of the Admiralty, has ordered
an inquiry. Lord Mersey has consent
ed to conduct it. He headed the in
vestigations into the sinking of the
steamers Titanic and the Empress OF
ireland. $500
There are two rather sensational bits
of evidence which are closely related
One passenger declares the second en-
gineer told him that only just before
the ship was struck did orders 90 TO
the stokers to fire up for full speed.
The ship was then well within the
danger zone.
In one quarter tonight it was stated
that il was not the governments busi-
ness actually to order British mer-
chant vessels to do thus and so with
regard to operations. but that instruc-
tions were sent which should be fol-
lowed 1t was that way with the Lusi-
tania. Advices were sent by wireless,
but they were not followed.
Gross Carelessness Charged.
There is a vast amount of criticism
among all the passengers. Most of
them charge the grossest carelessness.
c. T. jenkins, a London business man
and survivor, said:
During the voyage one of the most
prominent passengers aboard went TO the
captain with the suggestion that pass
eUGeTS De lOlu NNdl uOdbS " SO lllAu III
the event of an accident. The captain
said il was not necessary. that II was
not a company regulation, but when
pressed he said he would take it up
with the chief steward; Nothing, how
ever was done.
"A lady who had tea with the cap
tain asked if q convoy could be eX-
pected. The captain replied the ship
didn't need one. II mover had one, and
the Germans couldn't hit the Lusi-
tania.
There was gross carelessness. II is
an outrage which should be fully in
vestigated There should have been a
convoy. Two destroyers could have
protected the ship on this crucial run.
The British government should have
furnished it. whether the Cunard com
pany wanted il or not"
There is also severe criticism on all
sides that the officers told passengers
the ship would not sink.
"a Streak of White on the Water"
Oliver p. Bernard, of London, said:
al have been a sailor before the mast,
and know we were not making better
than fifteen knots az the time"
There can be no doubt that the dis
aster was caused by a German torpedo,
but the unsolved question is why there
should have been such terrible loss OF
life. Captains Miller and Castle will
make an investigation. Meanwhile
there are serious questions which de
mand answers.
First. there is a we'll defined report
here that the Lusitania had orders to
take the midchannel course. which
1 -. .f.s.a t,lsr
miles OF the Irish coast. Instead, she
was within eight miles Of land. where
two vessels had been torpedoed within
the previous twenty-four hours. 1t is
known that four submarines. in all
probability. were waiting FOR the Lusi-
tania. They had been lurking there
for three days.
Ship Changed Her Course.
The survivors agree that at noon on
Friday the Lusitania made a sudden
turn in a great half circle, carrying
her 'ar north from the course she had
been pursuing up 20 that time. Pas
sengers thought at the time the captain
had seen a submarine or had been
warned Of the presence OF one. Two
hours later the vessel was torpedoed.
The Iusitania approached the danger
Gus neighborhood absolutely unes-
cort.d. despite the warning issued by
the Germany Embassy at Washington.
There was no patrol OF any kind 10
safeguard her. Except for the coast Of
Ireland eight miles away, and one tiny
nilot boat at an equal distance in the
onnosite direction. the horizon was alb
Continued on page s. column