Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 27

THE HARTFORD DAILY COURANT: SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1915. Lesitaeia Greatest Prize That Could Fall to German Ships or Submarines 29TH VICTIM OF i First-Class Dining Room and Part of Grand Staircase on Cunard Liner Lusitania GREATEST PRIZE THAT COULD FALL we I foreign government Alexander Campbell, general manager for John Dewar Sons, London, who also sailed, referred to the advertisement as "tom-myrot." Other passengers on the Lusitania included Elbert Hubbard, publisher of the "Philistine," D. A. Thomas, the wealthy Welsh coal operator, and his daughter, Lady Mackworth, the English suffragette. After the outbreak of the war most of the largest and fastest vessels of the British transatlantic fleet were requisitioned by the navy.

The Lusi- aU IF, "Hill if1 jLa I CARRIED BIG CEO OF WAR MUNITIONS TO Lusitania Was the Only Ves sel of Her Type to tinue Ei Service. BRITISH SURE SHE WAS SAFE Held Record for Fastest Trip Till Sister Ship, Mauretania, Took It Away From Her. The Lusitania was a product of the race for speed -which was carried on for years among transatlantic steam ships companies, particularly of England and Germany. She was one of the largest of trans- Atlantic liners, as well as one of the speediest. She was built In Glasgow in 1906, 7S5 feet long, 88 feet beam and 60 feet deep.

Her gross tonnage wag 32,500 and her net tonnage 9,145. She was owned by the Cunard Steam- ehip Company, Limited, Liverpool. Her captain was W. T. Turner.

The launching of the Lusitania on June 7, 1906, at Clydebank, was attended with elaborate ceremonials. As she left the ways, she -was christened by the Dowager Lady Inver-clyde. On her trial trip on Juno 27, she attained a speed of 25 knots. The vessel left on her first trip on September 7, 1907. This voyage was heralded as a -race for the world's record, and the wireless dispatches marking her progress were followed with keenest interest.

exact comparison was possible on account of the difference In the routes, but the Lusitania's claim to the fastest run from Queenstown, five days 64 minutes, was undisputed. Her fastest trip, made in western voyage, -was 4 days, 11 hours, 42 minutes. This, record, however, was wrested from her subsequently by the Mauretania, her sister ship, built a few; months later, which has been in service for the British navy during the war. The Lusitania had accommodations for 550 first class passengers, 600 second class, and 1,300 third class The career of the Lusitania was cpmparative)lyi, uneventful up to the i time of the war. owing to an accident to her machinery she was laid up for six ponths in 1913.

The vessel was pronounced by her builders to be as nearly unsinkable as any ship could -s- The lower deck was watertight- The double bottom was -so constructed that should the bilge keels be torn away and the hull piesaed the entering water would be confined within the inner and outer bottoms. The lower part of the hull was divided into 175 watertight compartments, with communicating doors so constructed that they could be closed automatically from the navigating bridge in a few seconds. Everything about the Lusitania was of collossal dimensions. Her rudder weighed sixty-five tons. She carried three anchors of ten tons each.

The main frames and beams, placed end to would extend thirty miles. Marine engineers were particularly interested In the greet engines by which the Lusitania was propelled, which were regarded as a distinct departure. Instead of the usual type of reciprocating engines, her builders installed turbines. These engines developed an indicated horsepower' of 70,000, driving four shafts, each of which carried a three-bladed propeller. It was the steamer Lusitania, whose "flying of the American, flag, in the month of February on her way from Queenstown to Liverpool in order to protect her against possible attack by a German submarine, caused considerable astonishment on both" sides of the ocean and resulted in the issuing Of a statement by the British foreign i office justifying the use of a neutral flag under circumstances such as those.

When the Lusitania sailed she had aboard 1,310 passengers. Some nervousness had been caused because of the publication in the morning papers of Saturday of an advertisement intending travelers that a state of war existed between Germany and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war -includes the waters to the British Isles; that in accordance with notice given iy the German government vessels flying the flag of Great Britain are liable to be struck in these waters and that ravelers in the war zone on ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their-own risk. This advertisement was signed "Imperial German Embassy." This warning apparently did not cause many cancellations, for the ship sailed with a very full passenper list. Just before the steamer's departure a number of the passengers received telegrams at the pier signed by names unknown to them, and presumed to be fictitious, advising them not to sail, as the liner was to be torpedoed by submarines. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt was one of the passengers who received such a message.

He destroyed the message without comment. Charles P. Sumner, general agent of the Cunard line, was at the pier, and in a statement made then, said that the voyage of the Lusitania would not be attended by any risk as the liner had a speed of 25 knots and was provided with unusual water tight bulkheads. The Lusitania was delayed for more than two and a half hours in railing for Liverpool on account of having to take over the 163 passengers from the Anchor liner Cameronia which was chartered at the last minute by the British admiralty. Charles T.

Bowring, head of the firm of Bowring Brothers and president of the St, George's Society, was one of the passengers who sailed on the Lusitania. He commented on the advertisement appearing in the morning papers characterizing it as a silly performance and below the dignity of a diplomatic representative of any GERMANY Lusitania In German War Zone When Torpedoed, WARNING GIVEN TO MERCHANT SHIPS New German Submarines of Larger Type Said to Be Operating. The Lusitania is the twenty-ninth vessel to be sunk or damaged in the first week of May in the German war zone about the British Isles. Most of these vessels were torpedoed by German submarines, although in some cases it has not been established whether the damage was inflicted by mines or submarines. During the last fortnight German submarines have been more active than ever before.

Sixteen of the twenty-nine vessels were British trawlers. There were four British and one French merchantmen In the list. The others were vessels of neutral nations. One of them was the American steamer Gulflight, which was torpedoed off Scilly Islands, May 1, with the loss of three lives. There were three Norwegian, two Swedish and one Danish merchant vssels in this number.

Establishment of the German war zone was decreed on February 4. to take effect on. February 18. The German government's decree defined the war zone as "all the waters surrounding Great Britain and Ireland, including the entire English Channel," although stating specifically that shipping north of the Shetland Islands, in the eastern area of the North Sea and in a strip thirty miles wide along the Netherlands coast, would not be imperilled. The Lusitania, therefore, waa in the war zone when sunk.

In the war zone decree, the German government announced its intention "to endeavor to destroy every merchant ship found in this area of war," stating that this action had been made necessary by the conduct of Great Britain in carrying on "a mercantile warfare against Germany in a way that defied all the principles of international law." The German admiralty is reported to have sent newly constructed submarines of large size and high speed for the present campaign. Few details are available as to the specifications of these vessels. It is said they are able to carry supplies for three months, enabling them to remain out for that length of time without putting into a port or having recourse to a parent ship. The U-28, one of the powerful German submarines, which sank the British steamer Falaba off St, George's Channel, March 28, with the loss of 111 lives, was equipped with four torpedo tubes, two 14-pound disappearing guns and two one-pounders. The Lusitania, with her speed of twenty-five knots, probably was several knots faster than the submarine which sank her.

CAN'T UNDERSTAND FOW SHIP WAS CAUGHT London, May 8, 1:54 a. m. The "Morning Post," in an editorial on the Lusitania, after remarking on the elaborate warnings issued at New York before the ship sailed, says: "We find it difficult to understand how with such warnings and such ample opportunities to take all precautions the Lusitania was caught. The conclusion that the vessel's exact course must have been known to the. captain of the submarine is difficult to avoid but uncomfortable to accept." The "Post" oelleves that the conditions were iavorable for the rescue of many of the passengers and supposes everything was in readiness on board the liner and that the mode of procedure in case of attack had been carefully rehearsed.

It states that the Lusitania was armed "with a formidable battery of guns" and adds: "But it appears that ihat New York legal niceties regarding international law prevented the boat from carrying ammunition for those guns under pain of being Interned in a neutral port as a ship of war. "But surely if the United States regards these submarine attacks as illegal it should follow that guns may be used on merchantmen to guard themselves against such attacks without making the vessel which uses them a ship of war. In the face of this crime it is idle to waste words In condemnation. We must set our teeth and go on with the war with more courage and determination." Shortage of Cruisers. London May 8 1:66 a.

m. Admiral Lord Charles Beresford asked for an expression of opinion regarding the sinking of the Lusitania said he though it was due to a shortage of cruisers to protect the trade routes'. This had been his opinion, he added, for years. WOMEN WEEP AT THE LONDON OFFICE Cunard Company Provides Accommo-v UatUftis For Some, London, May 7, 10:55 p. m.

The Cunard offices in London, which were to remain open throughout the night, were besieged tonight by a great crowd, largely composed of women, many of them weeping bitterly as the hours passed and no definite news was received of those aboard the Lusitania. Accommodation was provided in side the offices for those who had rel atives or friends on the steamer, while hundreds waited outside, eagerly reading the bulletins which told of the boats arriving at Kinsale and Queenstown, but which gave no names and consequently did not allay the anxiety. British Steamer Burned. New York, May 7. -The BrKish steamer Canastota, loaded with gasoline, wax and rosin, caught fire at her pier 'n Brooklyn today and damage roughly estimated at $50,000 was done.

Quick work by the firemen prevented the flames from spreading. Fifty thousand gallons of gasoline were on the dock and a like amount was cm a flat boat alongside the steamer, ready for hidiDg. tania, in tact, was the only vessel of I vnis type to continue in regular service. Inasmuch as she was the greatest prize which could fall to German warships or submarines her voyages were followed with particular concern. British shipping men maintained, how- ever, that she was in no danger, s-i pecially after the Atlantic had been i cleared of German warships.

They 1 felt that her superior speed would en- able her to evade any submarine which might attempt to waylay, her. Three days after war was declared the Lusitania left New York on one of her regular trips to Liverpool. She slipped out of the harbor shrouded in darkness except for her port and star-' board lights. There were 212 passeng- I ers on board. She completed her voy- age in safety without sighting any hostile craft.

Although the Lusitania was surpassed in size by several liners built subsequently, including the Mauretania, Imperator, Olympic and Vader-land, never lost the reputation acquired at the outset of her career. Her speed and luxurious accommoda tions made her a favorite with Atlantic wayfarers. STOCK MARKET GOES TO PIECES Furious Decline Follows Lusitania News Situation Considered Acute. New Tork, May 7. Wall street shook from center to circumference this afternoon when confirmation of the sinking of the Lusitania was Early rumors hinting at the disaster were discredited in many quarters, but later circumstantial details were followed by a general collapse of the stock market, amid such excitement as has not been witnessed since the inception of the war.

The news created a painful Impression in all circles. International bankers refrained from expressing any opinion as to the effect of the torpedoing of the British liner upon the duration of the war. The belief was generally expressed, however, that the situation, had reached a most acute phase, so far. as it might affect the attitude of the government at Washington. Later reports that no lives had been lost were regarded as a saving clause in the situation, since it was supposed to minimize the possibility of complications between this government and Germany.

The break in market values came after three hours of dullness and ir-legular price changes, the only feature, up to that time being a fresh outburst of activity in Uethlehem Steel, which attained to tho new high record of 159. That stock was the first to feel the effect of the wave of selling, making an extreme decline of 29 points, and falling trom 14G, to which it declined by relatively easy stages, to 130 with not immediate quotations. Westinghouse Electric, another war specialty, meanwhile broke 21 points. Amalgamated Copper 12 points and many others, standard shares as well as stocks of untried merit, from 5 to 10 point's. The decline was most furious in the last half hour, whan about 600,000 shares changed hands, a record unprecedented in the annals of the exchange.

Towards the closo buying orders which probably originated from hleh banking sources checked the decline and recoveries of 3 to 15 points ensued. What has threatened to be a demoralized finish proved to be merely a weak one. Total sales amounted to 1,150,000 shares. While the selling was at its height, many speculative accounts which had become impaired were thrown over at the market," or for whatever prices the stocks- thus offered would bring. In this way numerous "paper profits were wiped out or reduced to nominal proportions.

So far as could na learnea, tne Lusitania did not carry out any American securities. In fact, the movement ever since the war has been in this direction. London and tho continent 1 1 i i ,3 I naving recently icnewct uicu n4ui-ating movement in our stocks and bonds. WIRELESS OPERATORS GET LUSITANIA NEWS The sinking of the Lusitania was of great interest to the many amateur wireless operators of Hartford and vicinity and last evening nearly all of them sat by their instruments hoping to catch messages relating to the event David Moore of Farmington was particularly successful and about 10 o'clock in the evening caught the following message from the "Herald's" wireless station near the Battery, New York: "The steamship sank within thirty minutes. The weather wa3 clear and the sea calm at the time.

Three hundred passengers were landed at Queenstown, many needing hospital assistance and some deaths after landing are reported. Other passen gers have not been accounted for." Anxious For Iolunan. Members of the "Diplomacy" company, one of the Charles Frohman organizations, playing yesterday and today at the Parsons Theater in this city, were anxious to learn of the safety of Mr. Frohman, who was on the Lusitania, and communication was had with the Frohman office in New York and inquiries were made at "The Courant" office as to news from the manager. CROWDS AT CUNARD LIVERPOOL OFFICE Liverpool, May 7.

Scenes reminis cent of the Titanic and the Empress of Ireland disasters were to be wit nessed in Liverpool tonight, where a large crowd, chiefly women relatives of the crew of the Lusitania, gathered outside the Cunard office, anxiously awaiting news of their men. Little was available, but the people remained calm, although the strain waf? terrible. So far as could be learned here to night, the Lusitania had no mounted guns aboard. 3 TWO STEAMERS SUNK, OFF IRISH COAST Candidate and Centurion Torpedoed Crews Saved. London, May 7.

The British steamer Candidate was torpedoed without warning by a German submarine yesterday oft Waterford, Ire. The members of her crew of forty-four were saved. The Candidate was outward bound when fche encountered the submarine eighteen miles from Water-ford. The British steamer Centurion was torpedoed by a German submarine oft the coast yesterday. Her crew was saved.

The Centurion was attacked about the same time that the British steamer Candidate, owned by the same company, was torpedoed off Waterford. TWO INSURED FOR $75,000 BY TRAVELERS CO. Vanderbilt $50,000 and Hubbard $25,000 Probably Others, Also. Travelers Insurance Company policies amounting from J75.000 to and perhaps a much larger sum were carried by passengers the Lusitania. The company has a policy on A.

G. Vanderbilt of New York, president o. the National Horse Show Association of America, and a $25,000 policy on Elbert Hubbard of East Aurora, N. the prominent author and lecturer, both of whom were first cabin passengers on the ill-fated ship. Officers of the Travelers last night thought that other holders of Travelers policies may have sailed on the Lusitania, but they could not be certain or give even an estimate of the insurance carried.

Other life insurance companies here probably have policy-holders among the Lusitania's passengers, but they were unable to give out information last night. An officer of the Travelers said that, in all probability, several besides Mr. Vanderbilt and Mr. Hubbard who took passage on the Lusitania last Saturday were insured in his company. SCENE OF DISASTER.

Old Head of Kinsale, off which the Lusitania was torpedoed, is situated less than twenty miles south of Cork Harbor, on the south coast of Ireland. It is a bold, projecting headland bounded by steep cliffs. Its outer portion is 244 feet above high water. To the west of the head is Courtmacsher-ry Bay, which is dreaded by the coasters because of its exposed aspect and the dangerous rocks encumbering it. On the eastern side of the head Is Kinsale Harbor, the entrance being distant only four and one-half miles.

The intermediate coast is of moderate elevation and free from danger. Every part of the. coast in this vicinity is difficult of access for the larger class of shipping, but there is secure anchorage and safe landing for small boats. MRS. CARMAN TESTIFIES IN HER OWN DEFENSE Mineola, N.

May 7. Mrs. Florence Conklln Carman testified in her own defense today at her trial on the charge of murder In connection with the shooting of Mrs. Louise D. Bailey in- the office of her husband, Dr.

Ed-wln Carman, In Freeport, June 30 last. Her testimony was almost identical with that related by her at the first trial last fall, which resulted in a disagreement. On direct examination, Mrs. car-i man denied evervthfnar to which Celia' Coleman, her former negro maid, had! testified. She denied that she had ever used any firearm, but admitted that there was a pistol in her room at the time of the shooting.

A small automatic pistol was produced by her counsel, and placed in evidence. The bullet that killed Mrs. Bailey was of larger caliber. Only once did Mrs. Carman appear confused during her cross-examination and that vas when District Attorney Lewis J.

Smith produced an outline of the Carman house and asked her to point out which window she rapped on when Mrs. Varrance, a nurse, was in the doctor's office. "Which time?" asked Mrs. Carman. "You know which time Mrs.

Carman," snapped Mr. Smith. "Did you gj more than once?" "No," she replied, and then quickly recovered her composure, and said: "You asked me which window; believe me, if I had done it (meaning the shooting) I wouldn't have gone to, the same window." After her cross-examination Mrs. Carman returned to her seat at the counsel table and burst Into tears. Counsel for both sides believed that the case would go to the Jury tomorrow afternoon.

MASSACHUSETTS FOLKS ON BOARD THE LINER Boston, May 7. A premonition of disaster was responsible for the fact that Edward B. Bowen, a wealthy shoe dealer, whose name appears on the list of saloon cabin passengers who sailed on the Lusitania tonight heard reports at hio home in Newton of the wreck of the liner. Mr. Bowen, with Important business awaiting him in London, had engaged passage on the Lusitania.

He had obtained his passport from Washington, he said, adding that he had an appointment on the dock in New. York with Isaac Lehmann, Paris representative of the Alison Supply Company of Canada. "Friday night," he explained, "a feeling srew upon me that something was going to happen on the Lusitania I talked it over with Mrs. Bowen and decided to cancel passage." Richard B. Freeman, son a shipping broker, widely known, engaged passage at the last moment.

He is a graduate of Harvard, who left his work as a mining engineer at Ishpem-ing, to accept a similar position in Siberia. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart S. Mason were making their honeymoon trip on the Lusitania.

They were married here April 21. Charles E. Laurlat, another of the saloon passengers, is a member ot Charles E. Laurlat a long established firm of bookseelers. Lothron Wlthlngton belongs to an old New England family, members of which recently have been prominent in Harvard athletics.

1 Mrs. A. O. Luck. li I Worcester, Mass, May 7.

Mrs. A. C. Luck of San Francisco and her two children, Eldrldge and Kenneth, were passengers on the Lusitania. Her husband, who is in the employ of a Worcester firm is now in Europe.

As passage for Mrs. Luck and her children was obtained through the firm, they appear on the passenger list as from this city. Washington, May 7. Among the passengers on the Lusitania were A. Hopkins, president of the Newport News Ship Building Dry Dock Company, and J.

J. Gauntlett, foreign representative of that company, who were going to England on business. Both were listed as from New York. Chicago, May 7. Ten natives of Persia, among them Stephen Ohan, a naturalized citizen, were among the Chlcagoans on the Lusitania, according to their friends here.

They wore returning to Persia to investigate report received here of a massacre of their relatives. Harold M. Daly. Ottawa, May 7. Harold Mayne Daly of Vancouver, son of Hon.

T. Mayne Daly, a former Canadian minister, was a passenger on the Lusitania, He was dispatched to look after the delivery of ballots for Canadian soldiers in England and Flanders to vote in the coming Dominion election. The ballots missed being on the Lusitania because of the failure of the government printing bureau to do its work on time. From Ilttsburgh And Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, May 7. According to steamship agents here, 20 persons from the Pittsburgh district had booked passage on the Lusitania.

In the number were eight first cabin passengers, nine feecond cabin and three third cabin pasengers. Among the first cabin passengers are said to have been several prominent steel and iron manufacturers bound for Europe to close contracts. Philadelphia, Mav 7. S. M.

Kndx, president of the New York1 Shipbuilding Company, Camden, and William Sterling Hodges, Paris representative of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, were among the prominent Philadei-phtans who were passengers cn the Lusitania. Harry J. Keser, vice-president of the Philadelphia National Bank, and widely known in financial circles, was another passengers. In all there were 28 passengers from this city on the wrecked liner, and the local offices of the company as well as the newspapers were besieged by anxious Inquirers as to the fate of those aboard. PETROGRAD REPORTS GREAT BATTLE Desperate Fighting Continues in Car-patliinns.

Petrograd, May 7, via London, May 8, 12:05 a. m. -An official communication Issued this evening says of the situation in the Carpathians: 'In Gallcla, between the Vistula and the Carpathians, fighting continues with the same desperation and has assumed the character of a great battle. In this region the arrival of several German army corps had been revealed. "In the direction of Mezolaborcz we repulsed with the bayonet six vigorous enemy attacks.

The number of the enemy's wounded captured In the region of Makuvka Is Increasing. "In the valley of the Lomnitza vrs also have gained important successes. From Consul Frost. Washington, May 7. A cablegram received at the state department tonight from Consul Frost at Queenstown, said: Lusitania sunk at 2:30.

Probably many survivors. Rescue work progressing favorably." CAPT, TURNER A Lusitania's Captain Has Had Many Big Ships. CUNARD LINE MAN SINCE 1878 Began Career On Sailing Ships Holds Medals for Bravery. New York, May 7. Captain W.

T. Turner, R.N.R., In command of the Lusitania, and formerly commander of the sister ship, Mauretania, is the son of a sea captain, born in Liverpool In the year" 1856, and began his own.ca-reer as a sailor with a voyage as a deck boy in the sailing ship White Star, from the Mersey to Aden, around the Cape of Good Hope, at the age of 13. The Queen of the Nations was at that time lying at the Guanape Islands, under command of his father, and there the boy was transferred and came on his first voyage under his parent's training. Since that time his life has been entirely given to the following of the sea This first voyage occupied eighteen months. On his returned to Liverpool, Commander Turner joined the sailing ship War Spirit, and subsequently served in the ships Duncraig, Royal Alfred, Prince Frederick, Thunder bolt, and Royal George, all of which were full-rigged, and famous in their day.

After several years' service in sail. Commander Turner went into steam, and made two voyages. in the Inman liner City of Chester, and also served on the Leyland liner Egyptian. He entered service of the Cunard Line in 1S7S, as an officer In the steamer Cherbourg, in the Mediterranean service. Subsequently he returned to sailing vessels, and made two voyages in the uverpool barque James Ken- way, in which he traded from the Mersey to Charleston, S.

and aliw made a thirteen months' round voyage in the barque Star of the East, as master. Has Had Many Big Steamers. On his return to New York Com mander Turner left the Star of the East, and coming back to Livernool Joined the Cunard Line in 1883 as a junior officer in the steamer Cher bourg, and was promoted to be second officer March 3, 1888. Two years later. July si.

1890, he was appointed to be first officer, and February 18, was promoted to be chief officer. In April, 1903. Commander Turner received his first command In the Cunard Line, when he was appointed to the charge of the steamer Aleppo, engaged in the Mediterranean trade. During the past ten years he has commanded most of the principal steamers of the fleet, among which may be mentioned the Carpathia, Ivernia, Umbria, Caronia, Carmania, Lusitania and Mauretania. He holds the Souti African transport medal for services rendered while in the Cunard liner Umbria, and also the Shipwreck and Humane Society's medal for saving a boy.

While in command of the Mauretania some three years ago Commander Turner rescued from the open bouts in the Atlantic Ocean, part of the crew of the Liverpool steamer West Point, who had abandoned their vessel and had taken to the lifeboats when the steamer was burning from end to end. For his services on this occasion he received an illuminated address from the Shipwreck and Humane Society. Captain Turner holds the rank of Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve. He Is a member of tho executive counsel of the Mercantile Marine Service Association. The ship's officers follow: Captain W.

T. Turner, R.N.R. Staff Captain J. C. Anderson.

Chief Engineer A. Bryce. Surgeon J. F. McDerniott.

Assistant Surgeon J. Garry. Chief Officer J. T. Piper.

Purser J. A. McCubbin. Second Purser P. Draper.

Chief Steward F. V. Jonei. LARGE LAND OWNER DIES IN N. DAKOTA (Special to The Courant) New Britain, May 7.

Word was received here late to-1 night that John Gannlon, aformer resident of this city, died at h's home in North Dakota recently. He was reputed to be the owner of the largest tract of land In thaft state. He was about 70 years old and leaves a sister. Miss Ellen Gannion of Hudson street, Hartford: also a nephew, Hugh Hes-lin of this city. He left New lirltain in 1871.

SAIL0RS1NCEABQY Feeling That One Torpedo Could Not Have Accomplished Sinking of Ship. PLACE IN LIFEBOAT FOR EVERY ONE Boats Swung Out and Provisioned From Time of Leaving New York. Washington, May 7. Naval officers here think the Lusitania probably was struck by more than one torpedo If, as reported, she remained afloat only thirty minutes after the first explosion. The ship was so constructed, they say, that, except under extraordinary conditions, a single torpedo could not sink her.

It was pointed out, however, that inside explosions following the attack might have aided in the work of destruction, as the ship is understood to have carried a vast quantity of war material for the allies, Including much ammunition. Such explosions might have ripped open several compartments and so weakened others that they gave way under the pressure of inrushing water. If all the passengers and crew of the ship were removed in her boats after she was torpedoed, the officers and crew of the Lusitania accomplished an almost Impossible task, some officers said. The ship carried the full complement of boats, both of the regular and collapsible type, and of life rafts required under American navigation laws. A place for every person aboard the ship in lifeboats was assured, it is said, and undoubtedly all boats were swung out and provisioned as soon as the Bteamer cleared from New York harbor and remained so JU the way across.

It was suggested, however, that the task of getting into the boats nearly 2,000 persons, many of whom were women, hardly seemed possible of accomplishment In thirty minutes. Of the construction of the last ship, officials recall that at the time of the Titanic disaster engineers declared a similar accident to the Lusitania would have left the ship afloat i.nd able to proceed under her own steam. She was a double skinned vessel with many water-tight sub-dlvlsions oif her hold and the wing-bulkhead Installations that gave added protection. The vessel's coal bunkers lay outside these bulkheads and it was pointed out that the most powerful torpedo known could not tear open enough compartments to send the ship to the bottom. Navy officers predicted that one effect of the loss of the Lusitania would be a popular demand in England for energetic action by the fleet.

Some officials of the state department were Inclined to credit reports that a German base for submarine raids had been established in some hidden cover, known only to the native smugglers on the Irish coast. The torpedoing of the British wuper-dreadnaught Audacious off the Irish coast, generally supposed to have been the work of a German eubmarine, numerous raids on smaller craft in the same region and now the sinking of the huge Lusitania, in the opinion of these officials, indicated clearly that the German under-water craft were working from some nearby point. Navy officials, however, did not share this view. They pointed out that the Lusitania was struck at a distance, approximately, of less than 1,500 miles from the German coast. This would be easy cruising distance.

It was said, for the newest Information has reached the navy department to the effect that German submarines have completely circumnavigated tho British Isles, making voyages of 6,000 or 6,000 miles. If this is true, and the report apparently was accepted at face value, tho underwater ambuscade to which the Lusitania fell victim' was a very simple matter. Germany is known to have put in commission a number of new submarine craft recently, and navy officials thought that when tho plan to sink the Lusitania was drawn up, it was decided to send a dozen or moro of these boats Into tho track which the liner probably would follow and He in wait for Judging by reports of her position at the time of the attack, it wag said, the Lusitania followed her regular course on her Inst, voyage. Some navy officers thought they saw in the warnings publ'shed in this country before the departure of the steamer, that she would be attacked, an Intimation that the ship would be blown up from inside riu-ing her voyage. Nothing in dispatches received today tended to confirm this view,.