The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-09
ASK WHY Big LINER
WAS NOT GUARDED
English Naval Experts Think
Lusitania Should Have
Been Conveyed.
INQUIRY Is DEMANDED
Spfciqi CBi, Despo,cA 10 rak srx.

Special COTE Dsspdtch 10 THE SuS.
LONDON. May s.-Expert comment on
the destruction OF the Lusitana and the
loss OF so many innocent women and
children as well as non-co1hatant men
is as restrained a. it is possible to be
in the circumstances. Yet despite the
scientific character OF the comments the
personal feeling OF the writers controls
them at times.
The expert Of the DG,iv ErpSss. for
instance. suggests that Ambassador Won
Berns,orn at Washington might he ar
rested as an accessory before the fact
for murder and be sent to the electric
chair.
The Daiiv Telegraph comments: This
consideration will, We imasine. fix Itself
in the minds OF the American people:
The outrage was committed deliberately,
after notice"
The Morning Post says
Eve find il little difficult 10 under
stand how. with such warning and such
ample opportunities to take all precau-
tons. the Lusitania was caught. The
conclusion is inevitable that the exact
course OF the vessel must have been
rine. This is difficult 10 avoid but un-
comfortable 10 accept. AS to the pre-
cautions taken by the Admiralty to pro-
tect the vessel, We are. Of course, quite
in the dark"
The naval expert OF the Times in his
discussion says:
ut would seem TO be a principle
hitherto that each ship must look out
for herself II IL clear from the large
pYts l5h NOR La IL n q
the ports and waters Of the United King
dom that it would be quite impossible
to interfere with the general naval pol
icy against detaching dcstroyers and
other suita BILE craft TO convoy each mer-
chant ship. To do So in the case OF Sc
lected boats. unless there were special
national interests to safeguard, would
obviously be unfair II one ship Is to
be protected all would claim right to
similar treatment.
1T is possible Of course that the dan
ger TO the Lusitania had been somewhat
underestimate owing to the ineffective
nature of the blockade, which has en-
tirely failed OF its purpose. Almost all
| their victims have either been slow or
small. Yesterdays occurrence. however
goes to show that when number OF
submarines concentrate for the purpose
OF attacking single ship they have
every chance of succeeding"
The writer aRoribes the attack on the
! Lusitania to the failure OF Germany's
! original plan and her desire to reestab-
fish n reputation FOR her submarines
| Therefore II is probable. he says, that
| several : submarines were withdrawn
| from n general attack on commerce to
achiavs a great coup in catching the
busttaria.
| The. Daily ,ETpress declares that IL
the Lusttania was unconvoyed and I'M
guarded the nation has every right to
| d. mand the reason.
| Archibald Hurd the well known naval
expert of the Daily Tel'0rdph, argues
/ that there is "A strong probability that
I the largest number or the most efficient
| German submarines was assembled in
|. the track OF the Lusitania over wide
area, He sprculates ON the question
| whether the United States viii dema nd
| an inye stigation which. If granted, may
| reveal why a huge target 7S5 feet long.
| approaching Liverpool by daylight was
| following more or lees normal course,
| since 1t could have been assumed that
the Germans having given notice OF the
! attack would make every effort to fulfl
| their threat, On the other hand, he
says. II the wireless of the Lusitania
| was in general use message could per-
/ hal ~ have revealed the whereabouts OF
| tho vessel.
| The Standards naval expert says
there Is some difficulty in accepting the
suggestion that the work was accom-
piished by single submarine The
ship was making 2G knots. and although
| her tonnage might not make rapid
man'ruvrng possible, 1t was generally
beloved in shipping circles that her
speed would save her from effective at
| tack, II Is considered doubtful whet her
the largest and newest German sub
marines can exceed 90 knots on the sur
face and IL knots submerged.
Owing to the height of her super
structure the Lustania was visible
through the periscope OF submerged
| submarine for n greater distance than
a boat of smaller tonnage would have
| been, hut this fact. the writer believes
| should have been more than counterbal-
anccd by IN" tunardors speed The
expert concludes 1t is probable that sew
eral submarines were acting In concert
and working under instructions.