Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-07-22
BLAME Germans
FOR DESTRUCTION
OF LUS|TAN|A
American Survivors Indignant
However at Courts Report
ExOnerating Cunard
Line.

London. July iS--"After having care
fully inquired into the circumstances of
the disaster the court finds the loss of
said ship and lives was due to damage
caused the ship by torpedoes fired by
submarine of German nationality. In the
opinion of the court, the act was done
not merely with the intention of sinking
the ship, but also with the intention of
destroying the lives of the people on
board"
So read Chairman Of the Court Baron
Mersey in summing UP the report OF the
inquiry into the sinking OF the Lusitania.
The findings, which were brief were
read by Chairman of the Court Baron
Mersey OF Toxteth. They stated that the
Cunard liner was lost as the result Of
the act Of a German submarine, which
not only intended to destroy the ship
but planned to blot out the lives of its
passengers.
The report was a distinct disappoint-
mcnt to the American survivors, who
expressed indignant surprise at a por-
ton of the report which exonerated
Captain Turner and the Cunard line
from all blame. and commended tie
discipline prevailing on the ship at the
time she was sinking. Several attor-
neys representing American clients lis
tened closely to the reading Of the
Judgment which may have a great eff
feet on actions brought against tho
steamship company.
Among the spectators were: Walter
/ Webb Ware, representing the Wander
/ blt family. Major +. Warren Pear and
Mrs Pearl of New York, and +. Il.
T II, ,f
William Crichton Of New York. whose
wife was lest. Before the reading Of the
Judgment was begun Major Pearl. who
! has followed the whole case closely,
expressed the opinion that the decision
would sharply condemn the officers of
the ship and OF the Cunard line for
negligence
The salient features of the report are
that the lifeboat and lifebelt facilities
were adequate; that the demeanor of the
crew was above all blame, and that the
conduct of the passengers. barring a
slight panic when the steerage rassen-
gers came on deck, was praiseworthy.
The court also found that the ship was
unarmed and that her cargo was a gen
eral one, the ammunition aboard con-
ssting only Of 5000 cases Of CARTRIDGES
lIpHl Nllltn tnere was no explosion.
"No doubt there We're mishaps in hand.
ling the ropes Of the boats" Lord Mersey
said. but in my opinion there was no in
competence or neglect
Lord Mersev found that Captain Tur-
Nor was fully advised by the British ad-
miraltv as to the best course to follow
adding that in some respects he did not
follow these out The court pointed out
however, that the admiralty instructions
We're not intended to prevent Captain
Turner from exercising his individual
Judgment and that his failure to follow
the admiralty's advice to the letter was
no eason for blame.
The reduction of the Lustauja's speed
from q 10 to 81 knots still left the vesse
faster than any other boat on the Allan
tic, said Baron Mersey. and he fount
there was no reason to blame the Cunar,
company for this economy during wal
time. Relative to the admiralty instruc
tons the court said this phase OF the in
Nuiry was In camera and 1t would he con
trary to public interest to discuss it.