New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-06-03
JAN lUUR Gt)NO Ulg
DECK OF LUsITANIA.
Gustave Stable Of New York
SWearS in Affidavit to U. S.

Washington, June Sit has been
lreported that evidence had been sub
mitted to the state department by the
German ambassador in support of the
German foreign Office contention that
the Lusitania carried two masked
guns concealed below her decks. This
evidence included certain affidavits,
the principal one being that of Gus
tave Stable Of 90 Leroy street, New
York city, who deposes as follows:
On the day prior to the sailing of
the Lusitania, was asked by my
friend, "A. Lietch, who was employed
as first cabin steward, to help him
bring his trunk aboard. In the course
4 of the evening we went on board with
out being hindered by the quarter
master on guard.
4 Saw -Four Guns.
after having remained some time
in the Gloria stewards quarters)
we vert to the stern main deck.
About fifteen to eighteen feet from
the entrance to the Gloria on port
and starboard respectively saw two
guns Of twelve to fifteen centimeters.
They were covered with leather, but
the barrel was distinctly to be seen.
To satisfy my curiosity / unfastened
the blu. kles to ascertain the calibre
of the guns. could also ascertain
that the guns were mounted on deck
on wooden blocks The guns were
placed about three feet from the re-
spective sides and the wall could be
removed at that particular place.
One the foredeck there were also
two guns Of the same calibre and COW
cred in the same manner. They were
placed at about ten to twenty feet
from the entrance Of the crews quar-
ters and four feet from the ship side
where the wall could also be re-
moved. ;"
Told of Guns of Board.
Josephine Weir, New York board
Ing house keeper, swears in another
affidavit that Leitch,4 who is referred
TO In Stables statement, remarked to
her that he was going to sail on the
Lusitania as a steward. she men
toned the danger from German sub
and, according to her afi-
iavit, he replied:
Oh, I'm not afraid; we have four
pig, brightly polished copper guns
Another affidavit submitted by the
German ambassador to the state de-
oartment is signed by one Grieva, who
deposes that he heard Leitch make
his remark to Mrs. Weir
Fourth Affidavit.
statement of a man named Bruckner
says he saw a cannon on the Lusi-
ania while standing on the dock
The state department has referred |
hese aff1davits to the department. of |
Justice, which will Investigate them |
Ind also the German charges gener-
lily that the Lusitania carried gums. |
Government officials said that this !
.eference of the aff1davits to the de-
oartment of justice in no wise indi-
lated that this governlnent intended
% discuss them with the German
government, but merely represented
he routine course of investigations
which the government makes in such
matters
Reported No Gums on Board.
Customs Collector Malone officially
that the Luistania had no
guns mounted, unmounted or masked
when she left New York The Collec-
tor was summoned to Washington and
repeated to the president that fnom
the examination by his inspectors. he
was satisfied that the Lusitania not
only did not have guns on board, but
had not even any emplacements there
for.
The United States has refused to
thus far that even If the
Lusitania did have two mounted guns
this would constitute a Justification for
the German submarine attack. The
view of this government is that such
guns would be merely for defensive
purposes and the State Department
ruled early in the war that the carry
ing of guns for defense would be per-
4
The government really feels that it
Is entitled to accept the reports of
treasury officials and sthe neutrality
squad with regard to the Lusitania
without any further Investigations, but
II is likely that any evidence to the
contrary Will be looked into thorough
".