The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-08

cials for several days past of plan by
 the German admiralty to sink the Lusi-
 h.nia for the psychological effect it would
 have on Great Britain and the terror 1t
 might spread among ocean travellers gen
 erally
 Information gathered among officials of
 the government and in diplomatic quarterR
 confirms the belief that plans for the
 destruction of the Lusitania were made
 several weeks ago. First, the German
 embassy was instructed to advertise in
 the leading newspapers of the United
 States warning passengers against travel
 ing on belligerent ships. Anonymous
 warnings then were sent to individuals
 who proposed sailing on the Lusitania.
 Most significant of all were letters re-
 ceived here from officials in Germany by
 private persons stating that the Lusitania
 surely would be destroyed.
 Received Many Queries
 From the day the ship sailed from New
 York, officials here have received in-
 quiries from many sources almost daily as
 to the safety of the vessel. One official
 was told with much positiveness early to- day that this was the day selected for the destruction of the vessel. The naval radio station at Arlington has been on the alert for news and from time to time has been reported as having picked up messages saying the vessel was sunk. ln- quiry at the navy department each time failed to confirm the reports. and they were not circulated because 1t was feared they would spread unnecessary alarm. At the German embassy here, while no comment was made as to whether 1t was known there that the vessel was to be destroyed it was said the embassy knew the Lusitania carried arms and ammu- nition and, being advised of the resolu- ton of the German admiralty to attack ships that carried such contraband, of ficials had believed she would be at tackled At the embassy and among the diplomatists friendly to the Germanic al lies there was general satisfaction amounting almost to relief when reports came that no lives were lost, for it was urged that the purpose of German sub marine campaigns was only to destroy British commerce and ships, but not lives. There was a disposition on the part of the Germans to inquire also whether the Lusitania carried any guns on her decks which might place her in class Of a | warship and make unnecessary, accord | ing to the rules of international law, the giving of warning.
 Offer No Comment
 | Officials at the state department said | they had not heard that the Lusitania carried any guns. At the British embassy | it was revealed that early in the war, after the United States government had been consulted on the question of small guns for the big liners. the advice was given by the state department and heed ed that no guns be carried on the decks. sThe British embassy heard of the dis aster through news dispatches and of- ferei no formal comment, though offi- oials stated the attack was absolutely 1n- excusable and constituted a most f1agran. -I-k .f tl4 lac ,f int . Q law
 Officials of the United States govern ment were slow to express any opinion on the diplomatic phases of the disaster. Sec retary Bryan said he was gratified at hearing reports that no lives were lost. but declined to comment on the course of the government There remains lit- tie doubt however, tonight in well ln- formed quarters here that the incident will become matter of diplomatic corre- spondence between the United States and Germany when complete information is received, irrespective of whether any cit izens of the United States lost their lives. Ambassador Page reported briefly on the sinking of the vessel but official in- formation as to whether the ship was given warning. whether she was con- voyed by British warships, and concern ing the extent to which lives of Ameri- cans were jeopardized by the attack or subjected to dangers on the high seas, will be sought through the American em- be ssy in London and the consulates in Ireland before a decision is reached on the course to be pursued by the United States.
 When the German admiralty proclaimed the waters around Great Britain and Ire land war zone' and warned neutral vessels against the dangers that lay there- | in, the United States did not admit Ger many's right to place hazards in the way lof American vessels or lives. There was no distinction drawn then as to whether 1 the representations of the United States covered Americans travelling on bellig- erent or neutral craft, but officials in- l formally disclosed later that the note had been purposely phrased so as to cover 1 both contingencies. The language of the American note was everywhere recalled