The Washington times., 1915-06-03
Affidavits Charging Liner Was
Armed Irrelevant, Officials
Assert. IT,,
INVESTIGATION is ORDERED
State Department Ruling Per.
mits Carrying Of Guns For
Defense OF Vessel.

The Governemnt Of the United States
does not consider the four affidavits
which have been flied with the State
Department relative to the carrying Of
guns on the Lusitania relevant to the
issue which has been raised between
the United States and Germany.
The fllins Of these affidavits will not
be permitted to obscure the real issue
as to whether Germany Ia to be per-
mitted to wage war at sea In dfance of
the humane principles Of international
law.
At the same time. the Government Of
the United States will investigate the
affidavits and the facts they allese.
Ruling On Guns.
The State Department and the Ad-
n,inistration desire to learn whether
there Is a basis OF truth in the charge
that the Lusitania carried guns. Col
lector Dudley Field Malone's investiga-
tion failed to locate any guns on the
1usitania. The affidavits filed with the
State Department indicate that there
were found, guns OF either l2 or l5-
The State Department made a ruling
last September under which merchant
using American ports are permitted to
carry defensive guns.
Counselor Lansing said today that
there is no fixed rule as to what con-
stitutes defensive armament. case a
port collector finds guns on a ship he
reports the facts to the State Depart
ment. The States Department decides
whether the armament Ia defensive or
offensive. Entering into the question
are such factors as number and size Of
guns. whether there are emplacements
for guns, whether there Is a passenger
list.
Presumption Raised.
The mere fact a vessel is q passenger
vessel raises a strong presumption. ac-
cording to the State Departments view.
that she is not going to sea for offen-
sive purposes or as q commerce raider.
There is good authority for saying
that the Government does considers
that even II the Lusitania did have four
small guns on boads, there could be no
claim; In view Of her enormous passen-
The S,nte Dep4 tment has not given
out the official text Of the affidavits.
although they have ben published In
the allegations in tn eaffidavits had
been turned over to the Department of
Justice and the Treasury Department
Those departments will make inquiry as
to the persons who made the affidavits.
Diplomatic Significance.
An investigation by this Government
OF the claim that the passenger vessel
was armed does not mean that the
United States recognizes the right of
Germany to torpedo the vessel, but the
result Of the inquiry may have an
now in progress between the two ma
tions.
Secretary Of State Bryan admitted
late last night that affidavits had
alleging the Lusitania carried guns,
although he had earlier in the day
said that he knew OF no such afn-
davits.
the course of the day or had been on
file unknown to the Secretary~is not
officially stated. 1t is said three OF
the four afhdavits have been in the
department for several days. In any
event. when the presence OF the af-
them were made for the perusal Of
the President.
Text of Affidavit.
The principal affidavit is by Gustav
stahl. OF 20 lie Roy street. New York
He says:
"On the day prior to the sailing of the
Lusitania I was asked by my friend,
A. Lietch. who was employed as first
cabin steward, to help him to bring his
trunk aboard In the course of the
evening we went on board without be-
ing hindered by the Quartermaster on
guard.
After having remained some time In
the stewards quarters we went to the
stern main deck. About fifteen or
eighteen feet from the entrance on port
and starboard. respectively. l saw two
guns of twelve and fifteen centimeters
They were covered with leather, but
the barrel was distinctly to be seen. To
satisfy my curiosity I unfastened the
buckles to ascertain the caliber Of the
guns. I could also ascertain that the
guns were mounted on deck on wooden
blocks. The guns were placed about
three feet from the ships sides and the
wall could be removed at that particu-
lar place.
ION the foredeok there were also two
guns of the same caliber and covered
In the same manner. They were placed
at about fifteen to twenty feet from the
entrance Of the crews quarters and
four feet from the Ghip's side"
Josephine Weir. q boarding house
keeper of New York, makes affidavit
| that Leitch. who Is referred to by
Stahl, told her he was going to sail
on the Lusitania as a steward. She
alluded to ianger from German sub
marines and he replied:
"Oh, I'm not afraid; we have four