New Britain herald., 1915-06-15

INQUIRY AT LONDON
Captain Turner Asserts Prey of Ger
man Submarine Carried No Masked
Considerations Three Difficulties
Encountered in Rcscuing Passen-.
gers After Vessel Was Torpe-
decd.
London, June 15, 1906 p. M.-''The
Lusitania was not armed and she new
er was fitted out as transport" was
one of the remarks made by Sir Ed
ward Carson, attorney general in the
new cabinet, in addressing the court
this morning at the opening of the
board Of trade inquiry into the loss
Of the Cunard liner. which was sent
to the bottom off the south coast OF
ireland May Z, by German sub
marine with a loss of over LOO lives.
Baron Marsey, president Of the court.
is assisted. by Admiral Sir Freder-
lex Englefield and Lieutenant Com
mander Hearn as naval assessors, and
Captain Davies and Captain Speeding
of the Mercantile Marine. Attorney
General Carson and Frederick q.
Smith represented the board today
while the Cunard company and the
passengers of the Lusitania, includ-
ing the late Alfred G. Vanderbilt, all
were represented by counsel Pub
lie interest in the case was evidenced
by the large numbr of spectators who
crowded the court. It was noted with
interest that virtually simultaneously
with the opening of the investigation
there was received news of the find
ing Of two more bodies at sea near
where the Lusitania sank. One was
of a boy about Ia years old. and the
other of a man. Neither was identi-
fed.
Courts Fullesct Inquiry.
Sir Edward Carson who opened for
the board of trade, said he courted
the fullest inquiry. He was able to
give complete denial to the contention
of the German government that the
I,usitania was an armed vessel carry
ing guns and serving as an auxiliary
to the naval forces of Great Britain.
"In their note to Germany" the
speaker said, ''the United States al
ready have officially denied this, and
the evidence propose TO call Will
confirm and fully prove the remarks
of the American government that the
Lusitania was not armed and that she
never had been fitted out as trans
port.
without warning German SUD-
marine fred two torpedoes at the Lusl-
tania and it is believed that a tnlrd
projectile also was fired. Sucn an
act was not only contrary to inter-
national law, but it is contrary TO the
dictates Of civilization and humanity
40 sink passengers in this manner was
a deliberate attempt at murder.
Captain Turner's Testimony.
Captain Turner of the Lusitania,
examined by the attorney general.
said the ship was not armed either for
offense or defense and carried no
masked guns. He confirmed Sir Ed
wards statement as to the speed OF
the Lusitania and the number of her
boilers in operation.
The captain estimated that ten
seconds after the Lusitania was struck
ii was impossible to stand on deck
He said the three difficulties in rescu-
| BIG passengers were the list OF the
ship, her Roadway, which carried her
two or three miles after being struck.
and the shortness of time.
On Lookout for Submarines.
The captain testified he had given
orders to look out for submarines
and to proceed at full speed If any
were sighted. He said the boats had
been swung out the morning of the
cav proceeding the torpedoing. Two
lookouts were placed in the crows
nest. two at the bows and two officers
On the bridge.
When asked whether the passen-
gers were giving help as far as they
were able, he replied: Interfering,
should say" He added, however,
that the passengers showed a desire to
assist in every way possible.
Lauds Old Sailormen,
Speaking OF modern steamship
| hands, the captain said they were not
as efficient as the old fashioned
| sailornen, who would have been more
effective in the work Of rescue. He
| said he did not see Mr.. Vanderbilt.
AT this juncture the public hearing
was suspended while the court took
evidence in camera regarding the in
structions Of the admiralty.
Speed Question Important.
Continuing, Fir Edward remarked
that the question of speed would be
| important. The Lusitania was going
| Is knots, using only 10 out of her rs
boilers In consequence Of the decreased
! traffic, thus saving quarter OF her
| total consumption and proportlonate
amount in labor.
Certain specific informationw was sent
| by the British adrairalt 5lpys wireless
! tcohtinuisds on Eleventh Page.