SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 22 April 1912, Page 5

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

AN ALL-ROUND INSUFFICIENCY. FIFTH OFFICER'S PLUCKY RESCUES. London, April 19. The Survivors' Committee statement points out that there was nn insufficiency of lifeboats and rafts, a lack of trained seamen to man tho boats, insufficient officers to carry out emergency orders on the bridge and superintend the launching end control of boats, and also comments'on the absence of searchlights. Tho necessity of taking in tho passengers before lowering the boats to the water prevented the boats taking their maximum loads. When tho Titanic plunged many persons jumped overboard, but eomo were rescued by the boats. A number embarked in tlio collapsible boat?, which Hie lifeboats subsequcntly picked up. A pnsseugcr describes tho BflS nflicer, Mr. Lowe, as saving many lives, by his warning to people not to jump and swamp the boats. When his collapsible was Uunchwl the qfllwr IwleW a, nwt nua

and arranged an adequate crow for each. 110 connected them by lines, all moving , together.

Mr. I.owo later returned to the wreck, and saved a collapsible, containing thirty people, all scantily clod, and on the point of sinking. Homo of these died from exposure- whilst being transferred to tho Cnrpnthin. The survivors from a safe distance witnessed tho Titanic's plunge, and heard the ship's band playing. SEVERE PRESS COMMENT. FAST DRIVING OF TITANIC.CONDEM NED. (Rec. April 21, 5.5 p.m.) New York, Ajpril 19. The American newspapers pay a unanimous tribute to the valour and discipline of tho crew of tho Titanic, but complain of the inadequate boat accommodation and tho driving of the liner at fcwentyone knots in tho Tegion of icebergs. Commenting on tho Titanio'g knowledge by wireless of the proximity of ice, the "New York Times" eays that tho fnct that sho did not avoid tho region and steamed at a high speed was not merely imprudent or reckless, but criminal, SHELLING OF ICEBERGS, TARGETS FOR, WARSHIPS. (Roc. April 22, 0.20 a.m.) New York, April 20, The House of Representatives has adopted a measure to provido for tho shelling of icebergs by -warships for target practice purposes, as well as to clear theso dangers from the navigator's path, LINERS TO KEEP TO THE SOUTH. AMERICAN INSTRUCTIONS. (Rec. April 21, 5.5 p.m.) New York, April 20. The American Hydrogrnphic Office has ordered the lanes for Anlantic linere to bo moved 160 miles southward of tho Titanic's track. All the steamers that have already started westward have been ordered to travel further south.

MEMORIAL SERVICES. FIVE THOUSAND AT ST. PAUL'S. (Rec. April 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, A'pril 21. The Lord Mayor of London, members of tho Cabinet, the Ambassadors, Sir William Hall-Jones (High Commissioner for Now Zealand), shipping representatives, and five thousand others attended tho memorial service in St. Paul's Cathedral. A Roman Catholic memorial service was held in AVestminster Cathedral. New York, April 19. Hundreds attended the memorial service for Mr. Stead in the Carnegie Hall. WORLD-WIDE SYMPATHY. CONGRESS ADJOURNS. (Rec. April 21, 5.5 p.m.) New York, April 20. Congress has adjourned, as a token of respoct to the memory of those who perished in the Titanic. Tho United States Government is in receipt of world-wide messagO3 of sympathy. Rome, April 19. Tho Pope, has sent'a message of cflndolence to President Taft. RELIEF FUNDS LIBERAL DONATIONS. (Rec. April 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 20. The women's fund has reached ,£7OOO, the Mansion. House ,£40,000, and the Southampton fund .£6200. NEW YORK AID. New York, April 20. Members of the New York Stock Exchange brought 20,000 dollars to the dock for distribution amongst tho neediest of the survivors. Among the most affecting scenes at the landing was the sight of tlio women steerage passengers, thinly clad and shivering, with eyes red with constant weeping, whom the charitable organisations specdiily succoured. Philanthopio persons have provided 210 of the crew with, outfits. IN THE CHURCHES. i PULPIT REFERENCE AND RESOLUTIONS. Tho Rev. A. M. Johnson referred to the loss of tho Titanic at St. Paul's ProCathedral yesterday morning, and references to the disaster wero also made in the other Anglican churches. The Rev. Father M'Carthy, one of the Marist Missiouers, made special reference to the wreck in tho course of his sermon at the Sacred Heart Basilica, Hill Street, yesterday morning, ami at tho sanio church in the evening Father Gondringer also touched.on tho disaster. In all the other Roman Catholic churches of tho city the wreck was referred to at different services.

St. John's Churoh was densely crowded last night, when Dr. Gibb conducted an In Memoriam service in connection with the loss of tho Titanic. The hymns all related to peril at sea, • savo the last, "Nearer My God to Thee," which was chosen because of tho cabled information that the Titunic's band played it as the ship was sinking. At tho conclusion of the sermon, Mr. Barnett played the "Dead March' , from Saul, and, at an earlier part of the service, the choir sang tho anthem, "Sunset and Evening Star." The themo of Dr. Gibb's sermon was "Thoughts suggested by the loss of tho Titanic." Tneso were introduced by a vivid word picture of tho disaster to tho vessel. Tho thoughts wore: (1) The relation of such calamities to tho will of God; (2) man's littleness and helplessness in tho presence of the majestic forces of nature which on the piano of physical things is the manifested majesty of God; (3) death tho lovelier, conventional distinctions of wealth, culture, social standing disappear before death, millionaire and steorago passenger on an absolute equality as far as things temporal are concerned; (i) the wisdom of arranging our life iu full viow of the fact that at any moment we may have to give in our account; (5) a call to compassion, to prayer, and practical sympathy. Tho sermon took 45 minutes in delivery, and was listened to with a stillness that boro iinpressivo testimony to tho impression made on the minds and hearts of tho hearers. A collection taken up as tho congregation retired, in aid of tho widows ami orphans of tho crew of the Titanic, yielded JM2. . „, , ' At St. James's Presbyterian Church vesterday Kov. W. Shirer, preachinjr on Jeremiah 49, 28, "Sorrow on tho sea," referred to the loss of the Titanic. JTo said the mystery of sorrow and suffering was ever with us, each ono had his experience, «ach one should bo a burden-bearer with others. The call of public duty was now heard to inquire, as was now being dono in Parliament and Senate, how disasters may be avoided. Provision for safely should ever precede provision foi luxury or pleasure. Tho efforts made- to savo womeu and children and the conduct of the crow in responding to tho call of duty deserved all honour. After n reference to the Pilot whom all need, tho hymn "Noar my God to Thee" was sung.

At St. Andrew's Presbylcrian Church, Wellington Ternicp. tlie Rev. .1. Gitann Smith made epreinl reference lo tlio TitJinip wreck, takinc for his text .Tames Iv, H: "Vβ kiiOTT JWt JVIUt liloU bl Ail

In the oourso of his cermoa last even. inp, tlio Itov. Mr. Ward, of the Trinity Methodist Cliurcli, "Wellington South, nindi! feeling rufercnvo (o tliu wreck of I lie Titanic. Tlioro was n largo congregation present, mid the following resolution, was carried, un (ho motion of Mr. Ijnxfonl: "That we, as members nnd ail-Jt-crenls of Trinity Methodist Cliurcli, '.Vellinglon South. N.Z., express our dcep- , e.st sympathy willi those bereaved by the loss of (ho Titanic, and prny that ill this darkness God iniiy givo (liem light." This motion was carried, tho congregation. sUmdinp:. Tho "Dead March" (in Saul) was played by tho organist, Mr. Allen. L lie nieoliiig of tho Men's Brotherhood yesterday opened with tho singing of tho hymn, "Nearer my God to Thee," nut ol respect to the loss of tho Titanic. Mr. Iv. Arnold, J.P., moved (ho following mo--1 ion, which was passed in silence, tho I'iiliro audience standing:—"That this meeting of tho Wellington City Men's Brotherhood hereby offers its profound sympathy at the sad loss of life nnd suflcrings caused by tho steamer Titanic striking an unseen iceberg while on hor voyage to Now York. This meeting also stioiigly urges that immodiato steps be taken for nil ships to carry a Bufiiciout number of lifeboats so ns to reduce tho possibility of a recurrence, such ns has been experienced in this recent shipping disaster."

At tho Jowlsh Synngoguo on Saturday evening special prnyers wore- said, on. behalf of relatives of victims in tho 'Wjnmo disaster, by tho Rev. H. Vim Stavercn, who took ns his text: "Lord, what is man that Thou regardest him or the Bon of man that thou takest account of him" (H4th Psalm). An impressive memorial porvico to thoselost on the Titnnio was held in the Seamen s Church last evening, when every part of tho church was filled. Suitable hymns were rendered, and tho sole., lennyson's "Crossing the Bar," was give n hy Madame Mueller. Mr. C. l>. Powles read for the lessons tho 103 rd Psalm. a,'nd 1 Corinthians xv. chapter. Mr. P. S Shell, the niissioner, took for his text ht. John xv. 13. "Greater love- hath no man than this, that a man lay down, his hfo for Ins friends." Hβ also dwelt at length on tho bravery displayed by tho officers and crew of the Titanic in'their solt-sacrmce. After tho sermon tho congregation remained standing while tho organist, Mr. Gardner played tho "Dead March."

At the Central Mission Service in tho New lheatro last evwiins, tho Rev. E. 0 Rlauiircs delivered nn address based on the disaster which' befell the Titanic. Bofore commencing, Mr. Blamires asked his ccngregation to stand in token of their sympathy. In his nddress, ho said only n littlo time ago everyone had been (.niting about tho achievement of Captain Amundsen, who had penetrated tho innermost fastnesses of the great Ice lung. Now the asjent of that' same king liad drifted down into a region whero its presence had scarcely been expected, ami brought destruction to tho expression ami symbol of man's triumph Over the sea. There was evidence of manly self-sacrifice, Mr. Blamircs remarked, in tho largo proportion of women and children saved from the Titanic wreck. The spirit which, taught men to stand back at such times was the spirit of Christ. Tho Central Mission Ban! played the .Dead March in "Saul," <md Mr. T. E. Newton sr.npr two solos, "Tho Wreck" and "Drifting."