LOSS OF VESTRIS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 48, 20 November 1928, Page 11

LOSS OF VESTRIS

CRITICISMS IN NEW YORK PAPERS ABSURD AND MALICIOUS STATEMENTS VIOLENT HEAD-LINES (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Rec. November 19, 10.45 p.m.) New York, November 19. The volume of matter carried in New York papers criticising the captain and crew of the Vestris hr-, been very heavy. Reuter’s, dealing with the situation, cabled to London: “Even in the spectacular history of the New York so-called yellow journalism no story ever evoked such violent headlines, unjust condenmnation or ridiculous surmise as the tragic loss of the Vestris.” After quoting a number of statements appearing in the papers on Saturday, it continues: “In no other country in the world except the United States, where newspaper libel iu practically non-existent, could such absurd, not to say malicious, statements be published and read without comment, and presumably with a considerable degree of-belief.” THE AMERICAN INVESTIGATION BRITISH EXPERT TO PARTICIPATE ' (Rec. November 19, 9.20 p.m.) New York, November 19. Mr. Tuttle, New York District Attorney, has announced that British and American marine experts will participate in the investigation into the loss of the Vestris, as suggested by Sir Harry Armstrong. The experts will be empowered to question witnesses, but will have no part in the determination of Commissioner O’Neill. The minutes of the proceedings will be forwarded to the British Government through the State Department, to be utilised by the British Board of Trade. The British expert will be Captain Henry McConkey, marine superintendent of the Cunard Line in New York. Commissioner O’Neill will name the American to-day. BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S DESIRE (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, November 17. The British Government has informed the Government of the United States of its readiness to give every assistance within its power in the inquiry into the loss of the Vestris, which foundered off the American coast with the loss of 125 lives, on Monday last. At the adjourned sitting of the inquiry yesterday, the New York District Attorney, Mr. Tuttle, expressed appreciation of the attitude of the British Government in offering to co-operate. The desire of the British Government is that the inquiry into the disaster should be as searching and complete as possible and conducted with fairness to all concerned.