The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-06
SAYS KITCHENER
 DIED BELOW DECK: Officer Says Ship Sank So Quickly No One Could
 Come From Below
9v Assnclafed preas


 London, December N.--Lord Kitchener and his staff did not even reach the deck of the British cruiser Hampshire after she struck a mine off the coast of Scotland one stormy night in June, 1916, according to warrant officer who has just told the story of the sinking to correspondent of the Manchester Guardian.
 Questions concerning the sinking of the Hampshire have been asked in Par liament because of the persistent rumor that the vessel had been sunk by a submarine and Lord Kitchener had been carried off prisoner to Germany. No detailed statement, however has been officially given out. The name of the officer who now tells the story has not been disclosed.
 Four days after the Jutland battle, according to the officer, the Hamp- shire took Lord Kitchener aboard on June 5, and set out with about 800 persons on board in ''the foulest weather known in that region.' She was escorted byDtwo destroyers who were unable to face the storm and returned to port. Everything on board the Hampshire was lashed down and only one hatchway was left open.
 About eight o'clock in the evening the ship was shaken by a terrific ex- plosion and the crew scrambled for the deck. Officers quickly took their posts, but their orders could not be heard because of the raging storm and the ter rifle sound of escaping steam. Imme- diately after the explosion there was an other and all lights went out which added to the confusion.
 The officer with a companion, cut the lashings of a life raft, it being impos- sible to launch the boats In the terrific sea, and the raft was slipped over the side It turned upside down, but finally rghted and he, with others, found them- selves afloat Almost immediately the ship went down, not more than five min- utes after the first explosion. The of ficer did not see Lord Kitchener on deck and it is his opinion that as only one hatchway was open, the only men who reached the deck were those who went that way. Although much confused, he recalls trying to open a number of othe, hatchways while trying to reach thu deck and found them all battened down.
 The raft drifted with the. gale for five hours, during which time many of the men were washed from the raft, while others died and rolled into the net ir the center. The raft was then tossed through ,an opening in a rock reef and beached on an island.
 Hc OlliCcT SCOllcu dt tHc Su6ScStiOA that Lord Kitchener had been saved and was quite sure the Hampshire had been mined and not torpodoed.
  Of Necessity From London Tit-Bits.
 The father of family presented him. self at an emigration office and asked for tickets
 How many are you" inquired the agent.
 "Three-myself. wife and child'' Your age and profession" went or the clerk.
 I've just turned 30:t profession. car penter; my wife, a needlewoman."
 Three of you. you said?'' inquired the man. What about the chiid--ses and age?'
 "Boy-seven months.' "Profession?"
 The fathers eyebrows were raised so much that they almost formed Gothic arches on his forehead.
 His profession, say?" repeated the agent.
 The astonished father paused just a moment longer. wondering where red tale would stop. Then. as if in- spired, he said: s
 Bachelor