New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-16
Opening of Inquiry Brings
Out Economy Orders
of Cunard Line.
CARRIED NO GUNS,
CAPTAIN SWEARS
Attorney General Points Out
That Vessels Speed Is Highly
Important Point.
TBy Cabl, 70 The Tribune. ]

the use OF coal ana the COsI VI lhDOl III
the stoking, under orders from the
Cunard Steamship Company, the Lusi-
tania was using only nineteen Of her
twenty-five boilers and making only
eighteen knots an hour when she was
torpedoed and sunk by a German sub
marine on May 7, with loss OF more
than LOO lives. This statement was
made at the opening session to-day OF
the Board of Trade inquiry into the
loss Of the ship by Sir Edward Carson
Attorney General, and it was confirmed
by Captain Turner, Of the Lusitania.
Sir Edward stated that the speed Of the
vessel was one Of the most important
points before the board Of inquiry.
The investigators met in Central
Hall, Westminster, the high temple OF
English Methodism. The president of
the court. Lord Mersey, who presided
over the Titanic inquiry, sat on the
platform in front of the organ, the
naval assessors sitting on either side
Of him, while four fashionably dressed
women were on his left. About 100
survivors of the Lusitania, and rela-
tives Of lost passengers were present
and over forty lawyers were engaged
but although the proceedings were
open there was scarcely any general
public attendance.
Two things quickly emerged from
the speech Of Sir Edward Carson, who,
as Attorney General, appeared for the
Board Of Trade. The first was that the
inquiry would occupy very short
time. 81 zee no necessity for these
proceedings being protracted. There
is no need to call several witnesses to
testify to an identical fact" was his
remark.
Testimony in Private.
The second was that no opportunity
would be given to the outside world TO
know anything regarding the commu-
nications that passed between the Ad-
miralty and the Lusitania. 81 ask that
these matters should be taken up in
private. It is essential that we in
vestigate them, but it is also essential
that matters should not be made pub
lie which are liable TO make the duty
Of those navigating our mercantile ma
rine more difficult" said the Attorney
General
Accordingly, as soon as Captain
Turner's examination reached the point
of wireless messages sent to him, the
co.,rt retired. It is exceedingly doubt
full whether these matters even Will be
alluded to in the courts finding. Proba-
bly, the question of the recptnsiolllty
of captains OF the Cunard Line He'ei
will be made public.
CAPTAIN Turner, who appeared IN
civilian clothes, was singularly Ill at
ease on the witness stand. He gave
his evidence in an abrupt, pugnaclous
fashion. His answers were made IN
loud voice in curt quarterback style.
One reply which caused ; sensation
wss. The crew were not efficient IN
handling the boats, but they were as
efficient as most crews hese days.
In contrast to Captain Turner, almost
every other speaker was inaudible
owing to the wretched acoustics oil the
building. One lawyer appealed &c the
Judge TO ask the witnesses TO speak
loudly.
Lord Mersey's reply.
Thought Passengers Interfering"
Interfering, / should say" was Cap
tain Turner's answer to the question
of Butler Aspinall one Of the Cunard
Line counsel, whether the passengers
were helping after the explosion, but
when asked again If the passengers
were doing the best they could the cap
tain replied, yes"
Mr.. Aspinall also wanted to Know Know
VII cher the captain saw Alfred
Gwynne Vanderbilt. The reply was IN
the negative
"Competent enough, but they need
more practice" was Captain Turner's
opinion Of the efficiency Of the crew,
I in reply to representatives oil the
/ lhip stewards union.
! a Cunard Line attorney came 20 the
/ rescue of the witness by asking II ne
did not think all modern seamen and
ste ards were inferior TO those OF the
/ old sailing ship school. Captain Iur,
ner said he preferred the old school
/ every time.
Lusitania Not Armed.
Sir Edward Carson, who opened the
,roceedings for the Board OF Trade,
/ said no courted the fullest inquiry. He
was able TO give complete denial 70 the
, contention Of the German government
that the Lusitania was an armed vessel,
carrying guns and serving as an auNi-
/ iary TO the naval forces OF Great
/ Britain.
I'm their note to Germany" the
speaker said, tine United States al
ready have officially denied this, and
/ the evidence ! purpose 10 call Will con-
! firm and fully prove the remarks
the American government that the
Iusitania was not armed and that she
never had been fitted out as a trans
port.
without warning a German subma-
rine fired two torpedoes at the Lusi-
tania, and il is believed that third
/ projectile also was fired. Such an act
was not only contrary TO international
| law. but II is contrary 10 the dictates
Of civilization and humanity. To sink
passengers IN this manner was de-
! iiberate attemp. at murder"
/ Sir Edward remarked that the ques-
tion OF speed would be important. The
] Lusitania was going eighteen knots,
using only nineteen out Of her twenty
/ five boilers inconsequence Of the de-
creased traffic, thus saving a quarter
Continued on page 3, column