Twenty-Five Years Ago

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1940, Page 4

Twenty-Five Years Ago

The Press Bureau reported that there were 2160 persons aboard the Lusitania, torpedoed by the Germans. Of that number there were only 658 survivors. It was not certain whether she was hit by one or two torpedoes. She had no hope of reaching land and sank within half an hour. Her list to port was so great that the boats on that side could not be launched. Germany claimed that the Lusitania carried arms and munitions, and that, therefore, no notice of attack ivas necessary. The Admiralty, however, denied that the Lusitania was armed. There was much jubilation in Germany over the sinking of the ship, the opinion being general that England got what she deserved, while the incident was regarded as demonstrating the effectiveness of Germany’s new. naval policy. Indignation was becoming ve r y intense in America, although high officials were reserving judgment until an official Admiralty report ivas issued. The Austro-German exodus from Italy was becoming general, and included the Embassy staffs. Students at Florence hissed departing trains, and there were cries of “Down with Austria and Germany! ” Several heights dominating Kilid Bahr on the Gallipoli Peninsula were captured by land forces. It was also reported that the forts were threatened from the rear by the capture of Atche Heads. At Nagara, in the Dardanelles Narrows, all the forts were destroyed with one exception, and on this the Allied Squadron was concentrating its fire.