The Oskaloosa herald., 1915-06-03
LUSITANIA ARMED
SURVIVORS CLAIM
Gig LINER REPORTED TO HAVE
CARRIED AMMUNITION.
CHEMICALS ALSO. ON BOARD
Statements Made In Four Signed At
fidavitc-Owners of Vessel Not
Responsible-Didn't Know the
Contents of Packages. :

contents OF PACKAGES.
Washington, June 2.-The state de-
partment has received four aftidaVits
declaring that when the Lusitania
sailed from New York on her last Voy-
age she was armed with four guns of
good siZe"--two of them mounted for.
ward, and the other two mounted in
the stern. According to the affidavits,
they were mounted on an upper deck.
Three of the affidayits are from
persons who say they were told by a
passenger, just before the Lusitania
sailed, that he had seen the guns. The
passenger was an American, and, ac-
cording to the list of survivors, he was
saved from the Lusitania. The fourth
affidavit is from man who says he
also saw the guns.
Other Affidavits Coming.
From a state department official 1t
was learned also that limitations have
been received that these aftidayits
would be followed by others question
ing the manifest of the Lusitania.
In the manifest of the Lusitania APP
peared this item:
...F'urs. 349 packages. valued at
Sis, 220," consigned to Liverpool.
1t was said that an affidavit would
be submitted by a person connected
with the firm which made the ship
ment that the packages contained gun
cotton, Evidence is expected also that
the Lusitanias cargo contained acids
used in the manufacture of explosives.
1t was not known just what these acids
were, but it was remarked that Col
lector Malone at New York already
has reported that there was no picriC
acid. used in the manufacture Of high
explosives, on board the vessel.
Boat Officials Not Blamed.
The state department does not ex
pect a charge that the Cunard Steam
ship company, owners of the Lusita
MIA made a false manifest and vSo
lated the law in that regard. Accord
ing to the statement of officials 1t Is
taken for granted that the steamship
company was not responsible, as II
proceeds on the sworn statement oil
the shippers that the packages they
ship actually contain the merchandise
described by them.
! Count Won Bernstorff, the German
! ambassador, when he goes to see Pres
| ident Wilson today will, it is under
stood, make a plea for an investiga
ton of the facts as requested in thu
| German note. He will also seek to as
certain from the president just wha
| the United States expects Germany t
do, If the investigation is not to b.
| granted, and he will furthermore en-
deavor to learn the presidents idea o
basis on which the controversy be
tween these two nations can be sci
tied.
Further Discussion Sought.
The motive of Ambassador vo,
Bernstorff in calling on the presidan
Is known. 1t is in accordance with tn
sentiment expressed In the Germa
note wherein the German government
says 1t has the lively wish on its par
to contribute in a convincing an
friendly manner to clear up any mis
understandings which may have ell
tered into the relations Of the two GOV
ernments through the events mer
toned by the American government.
President Wilson asked the newsp;
per correspondents to refrain froI
conjecture regarding the probable col
tents of the reply to the German not,
as It might be read in Europe as al
thoritative and might create falls
impression.
TWO Sides to Controversy.
1t is significant. however, and pc
missible to say that the law Officer
OF the state department take the vie
that the controversy between tn
United States and Germany over tn
3 loss of the Lusitania is to be consi
: cred In two phases. The first Is G
E the high human principle involve
which is that noncompliance traveiiI
on either a neutral or belligerel
merchantmen, under international la
have a right to be protected in the
lives and property. The second phai
has to do with the question of facts !
h volved.
Q The presidents first note to &c
a many was based on the first phas
I The German reply was based on Il
!, second.
So far as the presidents dispositi'
: can be surmised from views EXPRESS
by those around him, It is believed
is still inclined 90 uphold his deman
that Germany shall give assurance
Il this government that there will be
d recurrence of her acts of warfa
o which the United States has held
y violate tho high principles of inter-
J. tional law providing for the safety
. noncombatants at sea.