The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-05-14

From out the depth of
the ocean the big British
Steamship Lusltania of the
Cunard Line was ambush
ed by German submarines
just off Old Head, Klnsella,
on the Irish coast at 2::3o
p. m. Friday.
The list and accurate
total of the dead had not
been ascertained at 2
o'clock Saturday morning.
One of the survivors of the
ships crew estimated the
loss of life at one thousand.
1t appears that luncheon was be-
ing served in the big liner when she
was struck by the first two torpedoes,
one of which penetrated the engine
room and both of which shook the
mighty structure from stem to stern.
Immediately the ship began to list;
the boats were ordered out, and four
or five hundred of the thirteen hun
dred passengers succeeded in getting
into them. Other survivors and the
dead were picked up by craft which
gathered at the scene. Apparently
few of the officers were saved.
1t was only 10 minutes from the
time the ship reeled under the impact
of the torpedoes that she went down,
head first, into the sea.
Some idea of the dreadful panic
that ensued can be gathered when it
is remembered that the Titanic was
two hours and thirty-five minutes in
sinking.
How many of the Lousitania's pas
sengers and crew were rescued cannot
be told at present, but the official
UP to midnight accounted for not more
than 500 or 600.
A ships steward, who landed with
others at Queenstown, gave it as his
opinion that 900 persons were lost.
There were dead and wounded
among those brought ashore; some
since have died. But not a name of
rescued or lost, of dead or injured
has yet been listed.
The British admiralty is discourag-
ing the publication of surmises and
guesses regarding the dead and injur-
ed Even before the crude details are
known, the British press is asking
editorially what the United States will
say to this event, and how she will
hold Germany to the "strict accounta-
bility" mentioned in previous diplo.
matte correspondence.
A report from Queenstown says:
The tug Storm Cock has returned
here, bringing about $50 survivors of
the louisiana, principally passengers,
aomng whom were many women,
several Of the crew and one steward.
Describing the experience on the
louisiana the steward said:
Il fear 900 lives were lost by the
sinking Of the louisiana.
THE passengers were at lunch when
a submarine came up and fired two
torpedoes, which struck the louisiana
on the starboard side, one forward
and the other in the engine room.
They caused terrific explosions.
Captain Turner Immediately order
ed the boats out The ship began to
list badly Immediately.
Ten boats were put into the water
and between 400 and 500 passengers
entered them. The boat in which
was approached the land with three
other boats and we were picked up
shortly before 4 o'clock by the Storm
Cock.
Il fear that few of the officers were
saved. They acted bravely.
There was only 10 minutes from
the time the ship was struck until she
foundered, going down bow foremost.
1t was a dreadful sight"
Two other steamers with survivors
are approaching Queenstown.
New York. May S.-The first news
of the torpedoing and sinking of the
Cunarder liner Lusitania came shortly
after l o'clock yesterday, through an
announcement through the local Of
fees of the Cunard. which stated that
->~N~~c~~~~~~.>~~~e~~>~~>>~
FEDERATION ELECTS OFFICERS
Mrs. E. j. Miller of Council Grove Is
Chosen President.
Emporia, Kan, May S.-Mrs. E. ].
Miller of Council Grove was elected
president of the State Federation c.
Women's Clubs at the annual meet
here today. Mrs. c. B. Walter, Enter
prise, was chosen general Federation
secretary; Mrs. Vernon Branch, WITCH.
ifa