THE LUSITANIA CRIME

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2492, 19 June 1915, Page 5

THE LUSITANIA CRIME

- INQUIRY CONCLUDED - , CARGO ABOVE SUSPICION . . London, June 17. Tito Lusitania inquiry has concluded, except- for a private sitting relating to questions of navigation. Sir Edward Carson, Attorney-General, produced official evidence that there was nothing in the cargo which the law of tho United States did not allow to bo shipped on passenger steamers. Mr. Baker, a passenger, gave evidence that there was a lack of the full complement of men required for lowering the boats. He said that Staff-Captain Anderson ordered women and children! •out of some of the boats, saying that there was no danger, as the ship vas not going to sink. Sir Edward Carson pointed out that tliero was no confirmation of this. ALLEGATION AGAINST THE CREW. (Rec. Juno 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, June 17. Mr. Thomas, a shipowner, gave evidence that a number of the orew did; not obey the order: "Women and children first," but tried to save themselves. EVIDENCE FROM THE WRECK, SUGGESTION FOR NEUTRAL DIVERS. (Rec. June 18, 6.20 p.m.) . London, June 17. In the House of Commons Sir. L. Ginnell (Nationalist member for Wes:meath) suggested that the Government should utilise the services of neutral divers in order to ascertain whether there was any ammunition on the Lusitania. Mr. Runciman (President of the Board of . Trade) doubted the practicability of this idea, owing to the depth of the wreck and the presence of enemy craft. —"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.

GERMANS DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE LAST AMERICAN NOTE BITTER PRESS CONTROVERSY. Amsterdam, June 37. The American Note has made a deep impression in Germany., The "Cologne Gazette" has abandoned its truculent tone and admits that it would be imbecile for Germany to desire another enemy. Nevertheless the torpedoing of merchant ships oaunofc cease until Britain relinquishes her economic blockade.

The "Gazette" falls foiil of the "Lokal Anzeiger." which does not share the belief th'i 1 Mi a British blockade is Tile, and poi:. ut that Germany ivould very gl.. '■■ employ similar tactics against h.^ain. The "Krouz Zeitung" is similarly indignant at the "Lokal Anzeiger's" candid admissions. It says there must be no weakening of the weapon of sub-, marine warfare, _ which is the foundation of all negotiations. The American question has given rise to .a bitter newspaper controversy, some pagers suggestingtbat Herr Von Jagow (Minister of Foreign Affairs) should be replaced by an Imperial Board to conduct the foreign policy. Others desire the recall of Prince Von Bulow to power.

DR, GERHARD'S MISSION TO AMERICA. RED GROSS OR MONITIONS? Washington, June 17. The German Embassy denies the allefation that Dr. Meyer Gerhard is really foyer, a prominent official in the German Arms Department. President Wilson refuses to discuss ifcho matter, stating that tbero is jio bvidonce or proof of any hoax. [It was stated yesterday that Dr. Anton Meyer' Gerhard, who had just concluded a tour of America, ostensibly on a Red Cross mission, was really tlio head of ,tho German Army Supplies Department, whoso Teal mission , was to purchase war supplios and obtain information as to the United States military proparedness. It was stated that he had hoodwinked Mr. Bryan into securing a safe conduct home!}