Omaha daily bee., 1915-06-16
LUSITANIA DID
NOT CARRY GUNS
Testimony Shows Steamship Was
Not Armed and Was Never
Fitted Out as Transport.
ADMIRALTY BEGINS INQUIRY


LONDON. June 15.---"The LUST
tania was not armed and II never was
fitted out as a transport" was one
OF the remarks made by Sir Edward
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.
Baron Mercy. president OF the
court OF inquiry, is assisted by Ad-
miral Sir Frederick Englefield and
Lieutenant Commando 4earn as
naval assessors and Captain Davies
and Captain speeding Of the Mercan-
tile Marine. Attorney General Car
son and Frederick r. Smith rep
resented the Board OF Trade. while
the Cunard company and the passen-
gers OF the Lusitania, including the
late Alfred G. Vanderbilt, all were
represented by counsel.
Atorney GeneraTs statement
Sir EffWAFN AhIHOAa wiz NkNHNN
The Board " Trade, said he courted the
fullest inquiry. lie was able to give com
plste denial 20 the contention OF tne
German government that the Lusitanla
was an armed vessel carrying guns ana
serving a. an auxiliary TO the naval
forces Of Great Britln. I'm We note 70
Germany tho speaker said. the United
states already has officially denied this.
and the evidence I propose 70 call VIII
confirm and fully prove the remarks OF
the American government that tho
Lusitania was not armed ana that It
never had been fitted out as transport
without warning Gsrman submarine
fired two torpedoes at the Lusitania and
81 Is believed that third projectile also
was fired. such an act was not only
contrary TO international law. but II IN
contrary 10 the dictates OF civilization
and humanity. To sink passengers In
this manner was g deliberate attempt At
murder"
The real questions arising. the at
torney general said. ARE only two;
FiTst a. TO the navigation Of the ship
having regard TO the instructions and
information conveyed by the admiralty;
and second. as to whether everything
was dono that could be done after the
ship was tprpedoed-"
Captain Turner Teatifiea.
Captain, Turner OF the Lusitania. eX-
anineds By the attorney general, said his
ship was not armed. either for offerSe
or defense. and carried no masked guns,
The captain estimated that ten Sec
orlds after the Lusitania was struck II
was impossible TO stand on deck. He
said the three difficulties in resouing
passenger were the libt OF the ship. Us
headway. which carried II two OF three
miles after being struck, and the short
ness OF time.
The captain testified no had given or
ders TO look out for submarines and to
proceed at full speed II any were sighted.
he said the boats had been swung out
the morning OF tbs day preceding the
tornedolng. Two lookouts were placed
in the crows meet. two ~ the bows and
two officers on the bridge.
Speaking Of modern steamship hands,
the captain said they were not as ef-
ficient as the old-fashioned saIlormen,
who would have been more effective in
the work OF rescue He said he did not
spe Mr. Vanderbilt a,
At this Juncturn the public hearing was
suspended while the court took evidence
~ camera regarding the instructions Of
me admiralty.