Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-05-17


the Developments in the sea-trsgedy
4. LONDON, May 8.-There will be an
official investigation of the Lusitania' g
sinking. Already there are ruInors
throughout London of lack OF proper
precautions. There Is great sympathy
for the Cunard Company on account
Of its wonderful previous record OF not
losing passengers, but at the same
time there is the severe criticism that
the disaster might have been avoided.
Il Is considered that the Cunard
line treated the German threats too
lightly, that too much confidence was
placed in the Lusitania's speed. Added
20 this is the grave rumor heard ON
every hand that the Lusitania had ad.
nliralty directions which ii did not i'm.
plicitly follow. IL appears reasonably
certain that II the Lusitania had not
followed her regular course, but had
taken the precaution of detouring
away from the course which she has
followed from time TO time the
chances OF her being summarized
would have been much less.
Gave Germans Chance.
Instead. opportunity was given for
the submarine, which was lying in
wait. TO calculate the distance and
speed Of the victim and the speed OF
the torpedo. There Is trustworthy in
formation that naval officials were
greatly surprised when they learned
that the Lnsitania was on her regular
course when struck
4. a. .x,.<,t.d fl,ot tha Amorioan am.
bassy will be represented at the in.
restigation, certainly at the coroners
inquest.
All the evidence goes to show that
the frst-cIass and many OF the second
class passengers had such confidence
In the ability OF the Lusitania, because
of her watertights compartments, to
remain afioat after she received the
first blows that they did not concern
themselves about taking TO the boats
or even pf0tidins themselves with life
pfeservers
Boats on port Side damned.
When the passengers did realize
that the sLusitania was doomed they
found. that most OF the boats on the
port Side were so jammed, because OF
the great list OF the vessel. that they
couId not be lowered, and the last seen
OF them by the most fortunate passen-
gers who had secured places on the
starboard boats, or who had jumped
overheard and had been picked up,
they were lined on the sloping decks
awaiting their fate, doubtless even
then believing that, with land so
close. they would still be saved.
However. the torpedoes had torn
sucli gaping holes in the liner that she
did nSi remain afioat for more than
90 minutes. and the calls for help
which the wireless sent out, although
answered quickly, could not bring the
rescuing steamers to the spot in time
to be Of any service.
Torpedces Emit Gases.
The London Standard has received
a dispatch from Queenstown saying
that when the German torpedoes ex-
pioded inside the Lusitania they emit
ted suffocating and sickly fumes
which stupefed many of the passen-
gers.
A dispatch from Queenstown, to the
Central News says:
TT now appears mat majority OF
the Lusitania victims are to be found
among the irstclass passengers and
crew. Queenstown impresses one to.
day as a vast morgue.
American Womer's Bodies.
or the 159 bodies some are laid
out In the market hall and others re-
main at the Cunard wharf, the mill
tary mcrtuary and elsewhere The
bodies of several young American
women are among those awaiting
identification at the market hall.
The spectacle at the market hall
Is poignant beyond expression Most
of the bodies there are of women.
Some OF them are without shoes. eyi
dence OF a hurried attempt to free
themselves OF haInpering attire.
.At the Cunard wharf lies mother
still clasping in her arms the body
of her three-months-old baby. The
bodies OF several other babies have
been found"
German Prisoners Perish.
LONDON. May 9.--Lloyd's Weekly
says that Detective Pirpont of Liver
pool arrested three Germans aboard
the Lusitania. When the ship was
torpedoed they we're drowned.
Or. Dernbers's Comment.
NEW YORK, May 9.-Disclaiming
all responsibility cn the part of Ger
many for the loss of American lives
On the Lusitania, DR.. Dernberg, form
or Colonial Secretary of Germany, de-
fondad snhnnarine warfare. on his ar