Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-05-13
DEATH LIST OF THE
LUSITANIA ESTIMATED
AT UPWARDS OF 1900
PLANNED WEEKS
AGO To TORPEDO
THE LUS|TAN|A

Washington. May THE sinking OF
the Lusitaia marks the climax OF Sc
ries of incidents since the announcement
of the German war zone decree concern
ing which the American government has
been silent. 1t is now predicted that gen
eral representations will he made by the
United States covering this and other
cases involved-the death Of Leon c.
Thresher, an American citizen, when the
British steamer Falaba was sunk; the
dropping of bombs on the American
steamer Cushing; and the attack on the
steamer GulHight. wrecked with a loss
of three American lives.
The report that the Lusitania was tor
pedoed without warning created pro-
found sensation: for 1t was the first case
in which this threatened procedure has
been carried out with Americans on
board a beligeront vessel Aside from
the diplomatic phases OF the case which
were widely discussed in the capital to-
night, the sinking of the liner brought
to light an interesting story of repeated
threats and warnings which have reach
cd high officials for several DAYS pas,
Of plan by the German admiralty tc
sink the Lustania for the psychoogicaI
effect 1t would have on Great Britain
and the terror it might spread among
ocean travellers generally.
Information gathered among off
Gals of the government and in diplo-
matte quarters tended to confirm the
belief that plans for the destruction
of the Lusitania were made several
weeks ago. First. the German am
hoEGy- n OF I,-o T.,
the leading newspapers of the United
states warning passengers against
travelling on belligerent ships Anon
ymous warnings then We're sent to In
dividuals who proposed sailing on the
Lusitania Most significant of all were
letters received here from officials in
Germany by private persons stating
that he Lustania surely would he de-
stroyed.
From the day the ship sailed from New
Yor officials here have received inquiries
from many sources almost daily as to the
sa fety of the vessel. One official was told
with much positiveness early to-day that
this was the day selected for the destruc-
ton of the vessel.
The naval radio station at Arlington has
been on the alert for news and from time
to time has been reported ms having pick
ed up messages saying the vessel was
sunk. Inquiry at the navy department
each time failed to confirm the reports
and they We're not circulated because it
was feared they would spread unneces-
sary alarm.
At the German embassy here. while no
comment was mad" to whether it
was known there that tho vessel was to
be destroyed. it wa ssaid the embassy
knew the Lusitania carried arms and
ammunition and being advised of the
resolution of the German admiralty to
attack ships that carried such contra band
officials had believed she would be at
tackled At the embassy and among
diplomatists friendly to the Germanc
allies there was a general satisfa ction
amounting to almost to relief when re-
ports came that no lives were lost, for it
was urged that the purpose of the Ger
man submarine campaign was only to
destroy British commerce and ships but
not lives. There was a disposition on the
pat OF the Germans to inquire also
whether the Lusitana carried any guns
on her decks which might place her in
the class of Warship and make un-
necessary according to the rules of in
ternational law the giving of WARNINGS
Officials of the State department said
they had not heard that the Lusitania
carried any guns. At tho British embas-
sy 1t 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 he
added that no guns be carried on the
decks.
The British embassy heard of the di-
saster through news dispatches and Of
fered no formal comment though OIL
Gals stated the attack was absolutely
inexcusable and constituted most flag
rant violation of all the rules of Inter-
law.
Ambassador Page reported briefly
on the sinking of the vessel but Off
clal information as to whether the
snip was given warning. wether she
was conveyed by British warships and
concerning the extent to which lives
or Americans We're jeopardized by the
attack or subjected to dangers on the
high seas will be sought through the
American embassy at London and the
consulates in Ireland before a deci-
sion is reached on the course to be
pursued by the United States