The Washington times., 1915-05-10
Charge Only Five of
Lusitania's LifebOats
Got Away in Safety

LONDON, May 1o.-Charges that only
fiye Of the Lusitania's thirty-five life
boats were successfully launched fol-
lowing the impact of the German sub
marines torpedo are made as the Brit
ish board Of trade is assembling its Of
ficial board of inquiry into the loss or
1.14s lives.
Sharp criticism Of the inadequacy or
the emergency preparations is accom-
panied with demand from the entire
United Kingdom for energetic repris-
ais on the part of the British admiralty.
It Is reported that there has been a
marked increase in recruiting as the
wave Of resentment against Germany
sweeps over the empire.
Failure to safeguard the liner into
port Is bringing to head popular
while tales Of survivors that tend to
snow negligence on the part of the Lusi-
tania's officers are arousing all England.
According to the revised figures given
out today. there are yet to be recov-
cred 1.Oo5 bodies.
Saw Two Torpedoes.
According to cable dispatches, the
fact that the British government is
being seriously criticised for it's fail
ure to send a convoy of, destroyers
and the Cunard line for maintaining
the regular course at slow speed is
Just being appreciated by the cab
met. The officials at the admiralty
say there was good reason for acting
as they did. but make no explanation.
Although there is still doubt s to
whether two torpedoes exploded, or
whether the first detonation caused
the big liners boilers to let go, Cap
tain Turner says there Is no doubt
that at least two torpedoes reached
the ship. Making his first statement
Since the steamer went down under
him, the captain said today:
"I am not certain whether the two
explosions-and there were two-re-
suited from torpedoes or whether one
was boiler explosion. I am sure,
however. that 7 saw the first torpedo
side. 7 also saw second torpedo ap-
parenty headed straight for the
steamers hun. directly below tho
suite occupied by Alfred G. Wander
bilt
"That is all that I can say until
have made my official report to the
court Of inquiry which has been call
ed and over which Lord Mersey Is to
preside"
Believed Ship Safe.
Many passengers openly assert that
the officers Of the Lusitania were too
certain that the liner would float.
Although she listed greatly with the
first torpedo. they took the position
that she would right herself and
there was no system in the hurried at
tempts either to have the passengers
put on their life belts or to get the
boats and RATS oversize. Many of
the boats and RATS, 1t is now known,
went down with the steamer.
The criticism is not by Americans
only. A leader is D. A. Thomas, tie
Welsh coal millionaire, who was res
cued:
1T is puzzlins at a time like this,
he said. when speed means everything
to eafety to understand why the LUST
tania went so slow. She was running at
least 20 per cent below her regular
speed. The price Of American coal is no
moro than 1t was a year ago; but, even
though It was. under any consideration,
prices ought not to carry the slightest
weight.
"Rumors that the Lusitania was
slowed down so that she would not
reach Liverpool too soon are being cir
cWated. but II that is so, why did not a
couple of destroyers convoy the steamer,
as was the case when the Transylvania
went In"
The board Of trade inquiry into the loss
OF the Cunard liner Lusitania will begin
at once. Lord Mersey, who presided
over the Titanic and Empress of Ireland
Inquiries. will conduct it.