Newspapers / The News-Herald (Morganton, N.C.) / May 13, 1915, edition 1 / Page 1
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, .......... , . mjmm . J 7. G. COBB, Editor and Owner. The Burke County News ) , . ; The Morganton Herald Consolidated November 29, 1901. Subscription Price $1 Per Year in Advance. VOL. XXX. MORGANTON, N. C, MAYJ3, 1915, N0B2. 3 de I) use I The Sinking of In Sight of Irish Coast German Subma rine Strikes Big Liner-About 1300 Lives Lost--100 of Them Americans. The British liner Lusitania, of the Cunard line, which sailed from New York May 1st for Liverpool, was sunk by a German submarine Friday after noon about 2 o'clock and the number of lives lost is estimated at about 1,200. The number of passengers is re ported at 1,251, of whom 188 were Americans. These with the crew made up a total aboard of over 2, 00O the reports vary as to the exact number. The latest report places the number of survivors at 764, including 462 passengers and 302 of the crew. One hundred and forty-four dead bodies were recovered, 87 identified and 57 unidentified. Of the identified bodies 03 v.-eve passengers and 22 of the crew. Of those rescued, 30 of the passengers and 17 of the crew were injured. It is estimated that 73 of the 1SS Americans were saved. The Fatal Torpedo. The Lusitania was steaming along about 10 miles off Old Head Kinsale, on the last leg of her voyage to Liv erpool, when about 2 o'clock Friday afternoon a German submarine sud denly appeared and fired one or more torpedoes. The survivors do not agree as to whether the submarine fired one or two torpedoes. A few say they saw the periscope and many attest to tracing the wake of foam as a projec tile raced toward the vessel. The only points in wThich all concur is that the torpedo struck the vessel' a vital blow amidships, causing her. to list almost immediately to the star- j board. In this careening fashion she ; plowed some distance, smashing the life-boats' davits as she did so and; making the launching of the boats well-nigh impossible until headway had ceased. How far the Lusitania struggled forward after being struck and how long it was before she disappeared beneath the waves are points on which few passengers agree, estimates vary ing from 8 to 20 minutes. The list to starboard so elevated life-boats on the port side as to ren der them useless and it is said only two on that side were launched. The first of these, according to the cus tom of the sea, was filled with wo men and children. It struck the wa ter unevenly, capsizing and throwning its 60 occupants into the sea. The Lusitania even then was making con-. aiderable headway and the women ' and little children were swept to death in spite of the attempts of two stokers to rescue them. These heroic men, according to passengers, were drowned. After that several boats were launched successfully but the steam ers hst grew more perilous, the decks slanting to such an angle that it was imperative for all to cling to Je starboard rail. Manv bv this time had donned life-belts and jumped. --.wen me-uoats oroKe aariit unoc cupied and the sea became a froth of ars, chairs, debris and human bod ies. Two Stokers. seeine a ririftino- boat, dived overboard, recovered it and Polled in nearly 40 persons, mostly women. The Lusitania's crew, mean while, adhered to the letter to in structions and the disclipine was rig li' although one or two subordinate officers are said to have told a group ,pafe?Sers who had climbed int0 boat that there was no immediate danger and advised them to remain inn J- ' - ftv a while longer. Whether ps was due to the fact that the sub pdmates lost their heads or to their fonviction that the ship's bulkheads puld save her, never will be determ ined. Some of the passengers had been lyen such l v..vi6 asDuiautc W lie 1 1 Be vescol j ii.i -i . , w ooucu mai 11 was unsmK we, that when the exnlosion occur- eQ and PVPrT7VrrNr ;-.c.tniu. 1, hat caused it, they were undisturb- d &t first, believing the vessel would each land. The survivor M at Queenstown, vessels coming rm there and other points along the ast m response to the wireless calls help. Old Head Kinsale, 10 miles which the Lusitania went down. a3 always been a landmark thnf V, the Lusitania brought joy to many travelers, as it always has stood as the sign from shore that the perils of the voyage across the Atlantic were at an end. Stories of the Disaster. Capt. Turner of the Lusitania was saved, being picked up while floating in the water. The question was ask ed at Qu&enstown: Why did Capt. Turner pursue the usual well-known Cunard Line course so close to the Irish coast at minimum speed, and why was not the big liner convoyed?" Naval officers at Queenstown say the Lusitania received wireless orders to take a course in the middle channel, but the ship's wireless operator v de clined to say whether he received such orders. Dr. Adam Fisher of New York blames the British authorities. He says the officers were not prompt in their work directing the people after the vessel was struck and concluded with much feeling. "I do not see how either the Cunard Company or the admiralty can hold themselves free from blame for this tragedy. The au thorities allowed a great ship loaded with valuable cargo to proceed through known ' dangerous waters without a single torpedo-boat as a convoy." In striking contrast to most histor ic sea disasters, the rate of mortality among first class passengers seems to be heavier than among any other class on board. A large proportion of those saved are members of the crew, but this is not evidence of lack of discipline, as most of them were picked up from the water. The cap tain of a brawler who arrived in the harbor soon after the accident with 140 survivors, mostly women and children, when reproached for not staying longer on the chance of pick ing up more survivors said: "There were many left in the wa ter, but they were dead and many were so mangled I thought it better to bring ashore my boat load of suf fering women, as they could not have stood much more." . Dr. J. T. Houghton of Troy, N. Y., a survivor, said there was no reason to fear any danger after the first explosion, as it was believed the ves sel would be headed for Queenstown, and beached if necessary. Just then, said Dr. Houghton, the liner again was struck, evidently in a more vital spot, for it began to settle rapidly. Americans Who Perished. Among the well known Ameri cans aboard the Lusitania who lost their lives were Chas. Frohman, well known theatrical man, whose body was recovered; Alfred Gwynne Van derbilt, Charles Klein, the play wright, Justin N. Forman, Elbert Hubbard and his wife, A. L. Hopkins, president Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., and others. Warned Before Ship Sailed. The Lusitania sailed from New York Satursay, May 1st, in the face of a warning published on the day of her departure by the German em bassy, which asserted that travelers intending to embark on British ships did so at the risk of the ship's being destroyed in accordance with the German war zone decree. A number of persons, Mr. Vanderbilt being one, received telegrams just as they were about to board the vessel, advising them not to sail. The warning of the German embassy was published as an advertisement in a number of news papers the day the vessel sailed. "Travelers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage," read the ad vertisement, "are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany fcnd her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war in eludes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that in accordance with formal notice given by the imperial government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain or any of herallies are liable to destruction in those waters, and that travelers sailing in the war zone on ships of Great Britain or her fellies do so at their own risk." Officers of the vessel, however, gave assurance that there was no danger; that the vessel was too swift to be torpedoed and was practically unsink able. Vessel and Cargo. The Lusitania was one of the larg est trans-Atlantic liners and was one of the speediest. She was built in Glasgow in 1906 and was 785 feet long. Her gross tonnage was 32,500 and her net tonnage 9,145. She was owned by the Cunard Steamship Com pany, Ltd., of Liverpool. The vessel had accommodations for 550 first- class passengers, 500 second-class and 1,300 Ihird-class. The Lusitania's cargo was valued. at about $750,000 and contained a large quantity of war supplies. Her manifest included 280,000 pounds of brass and copper wire, $66,000 worth of military goods and 5,471 cases of ammunition valued at $200,024, all of which was contraband of war. The ship itself was covered by $5,000,000 war risk insurance. Germany's Announcement. The following statement was sent out from Berlin: "The Cunard liner Lusitania was yesterday torpedoed by a German submarine and sunk. "The Lusitania was naturally armed with guns, as were recently most of the British mercantile steamers. Moreover, as is well known here, she had large quantities of war material in her 'cargo. Her owners, therefore, knew to what danger the pasesngers were exposed. They alone bear all the responsibility for what has hap pened. "Germany, on her part, left noth- ing undone to repeatedly and strongly , a compliance with its requests, warn them. The imperial ambassa- j No essential changes were made in dor in Washington event went so far the communication as formulated as to make a public warning, so as Sunday by the President and approv to draw attention to this danger. The ed by the Cabinet yesterday. The English newspapers sneered then at principal poihts in the note are sub the warning and replied on the prtec- j stantially as follows: tion of the British fleet to safeguard j 1 The United States Government Atlantic traffic." j calls attention to the various inci- Idents in the war zone proclaimed by Bridgewater Items. Correspondence of The News-Herald. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Mills are visit ing relatives in Statesville this week. Mr. Mills will go from there to Flor ida, where he will spend a few days on business. Kelly Bowman, of Morganton, spent Sunday here with friends. Mr. S. P. Tate and daughters, Misses Pink and Kary, attended the old soldiers' memorial services at Ma rion Monday. Mrs. C. D. Hemphill was shopping in Morganton Tuesday. Mr. Taylor, of Elizabethton, Tenn., spent the week-end here at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Hemphill. Misses Lillian and Edith Lonon, of North Cove, were the guests of Miss Carrie Tate the latter part of last week. Messrs. Joe and Harry Hunter and Roby Conley of Nebo spent Sunday vin Bridgewater with friends. x Mr. M. F. Tate was in Marion Mon day on business. Mrs. Caleb Gibbs and Mrs. Charley Holland were shopping in Marion Wednesday. Mr. George Simpson, of Glen Al pine, spent the week-end here with friends. Mr. Eck Aberndthy, of Morganton, was in Bridgewater Monday on busi ness. mencement at Rutherford College this week. ouy xiiew u Auuext i, ox t Tn j tu: a xt: t-i -r i manon junction, spent sunaay m Bridgewater. Myrt Leonard who has been engag ed in bridge work at Boonf ord, has returned home. Miss Nora Ballew and Ralph Ab ernethy spent Sunday in Nebo. . - Miss Louise Giles of Gibbs was the guest of Miss Lula Kincaid Sunday. Misses Cecelia and Norah and Kary Tate Ballew. attended the party at Marion Junction Tuesday night. "NICK." - Germany is Delighted With Lu sitania Loss. London Dispatch, 8th. An Exchange Telegraph dispatch from Copenhagen says: "Berlin newspapers print the news of the Lusitania in colossal type and hail it as a new- triumph for Ger many's naval policy. The general impression is that England has got what she deserves." Mr. Will X. Conley, representative of the Raleigh News and Observer, was a caller at The News-Herald of fice Tuesdaf. He was making the trip from Raleigh to Asheville in an automobile. United States De mands Reparation Germany Must Give Assurance That No More Attacks Will Be Made on Non-Combatants Friendly But Firm Tone to American Note. Washington Dispatch, 12th. . The United States in a note to be sent to Germany demands a guaran tee that there will be no further sub marine attacks on merchant ships carrying non-combatants. It serves notice, too, that full reparation will be sought for the loss of more than 100 American lives in the sinking of the Lusitania and for other violations of American rights in the sea war zones. The document was to have been Jcabled to-night but the President af ter conferences with Counselor Rob ert Lansing, of the State Department, made several changes in legal detail ,and thenrevised it alone in his study. Tomorrow it will be dispatched and, it is expected, to be made public soon. While no indication is given of the steps to be taken by the United States in the event of an unfavorably reply, the note informs Germany that the American Government will leave noth ing undone either in diplomatic rep- resentations or other action to obtain Germany around the British Isles, the sinking of the British liner Flaba with the loss of Leon C. Thresher, an American; the attack by German airmen on the American steamer Cushing, the torpedoing without warning of the American steamer Gulflight and finally the tor pedoing without warning of the Lusi tania with its loss of more than a thousand" lives of non-combatants, among them more than 100 Ameri cans. 2 These .acts are declared to be indefensible urfder international law. The United States points out that it never admitted Germany's right to do them, and warned the Imperial Gov ernment that it would be held to a "strict accountability" for attacks on American vessels or lives. A strict; accounting, therefore, is now asked from Germany. 3 The usual financial reparation will be sought, although Germany is in effect reminded that no reparation can restore the lives of those sacri ficed in the sinking of the Lusitania and other , ships. 4 Expressions of regret may com ply with the legal precedents, but they are valueless' unless accompa nied by a cessation of the practices endangering lives of non-combatants. 5 -The right of neutrals to travel any point in the high seas on neu- I li a. ur asserted trai or oemgerent mercnantmen is 6 In the name of humanity and International law. the United States ' demands a guarantee that these rights will be respected and that there be no repetition of the attacks on mer chantmen carrying non-combatants. 7 The giving of warnings to the American public without officially communicating them to the United States Government .is commented on in connection with the German Em bassy's printed advertisements before the sailing of the Lusitania, but ir respective of the failure to advise the American . Government of Germany's purposev-the point , is made that no tice of an intention to do an unlaw ful act neither justifies nor legalizes it. . . - - i 8- The suggestion is conveyed that the German Government, of course could not have intended to destroy in nocent lives and that . consequently the German submarine commanders must have misunderstood their in structions. The American Govern ment indicated its hope that this will -foe found to be true, and a cessation of the unlawful practices thereby will result. 1 i 9--In conclusion Germany's atten tion is called to the earnestness of the Government and the people of the United States in this situation. It is made plain that the United States will leave nothing undone either in diplomatic representatons or other action to obtain a compliance by Ger many to the requests made. The note throughout is couched in UNION MEETING CATAWBA RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. Will Be Held With the Drexel Church May 28, 29, 30 Pro gram and Subjects for Discus sion. The Union Meeting of the Catawba River Baptist Association will meet with the Drexel Baptist church on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 28th, 29thTand 30th. Friday.' 10 a. m. Devotional Service by Rev. J. R. Williams. 10:15 a. m. Organization and en rollment of delegates. 10:30 a. m. Expressions from each representative on local church work: 11:30 a. m. What can we do to enlist every member of this Associ ation in Mission Work? Rev. J. A. Rector. 12 oclock Dinner. 2 p. m. What can we do to get all our churches to organize their women. Rev. R. G. Mace. " 2:30 Should Baptist contend for the faith once delivered to the saints? Rev. C. A. Caldwell. 3:30 Is the annual call for the best interest of the church? Rev. C. A. Lineberger. Adjournment. School work to the life of the church, t Rev. J. G. Benfield and .W. P. Patton. 8:30 The best method of enticing church members in Sunday School work. Rev. G. C. Ivey and J. Grisett. Saturday Morning. 9:30 Devotional service. Rev. Gray Murray. 10 a. m. Would it be for the glory of God and uplift of His Kingdom for our churches to form fields and locate pastors among them ? Rev. J. R. Williams. . 10:45 a. m. What are some of the benefits to be obtained by churches having their pastors located among them? Rev. J. P. Hagaman. 11:30 The jvajue of the 5th Sunday meetings and the benefit to the local churches by sending large delega tions. John McFall, R. C. Whitener. 2 p. m. Should profanity, drink ing, dancing and such like be tolerated by Baptists? A. A. Shuford, Rev. Gray Murray. 3 p. m. Is calling sinners to the mourner's bench a wise method to employ when trying to lead a sinner to Jesus ? C. A. Caldwell. 3:30 p. m. Miscellaneous. Sermon Saturday night at 8 o'clock by Rev. S. A. Stroup. Sunday Morning. . 9:30 Sunday School mass meeting led by the pastor. Sermon at 11 o'clock by Dr. A. E. Brown, of Asheville, N. C. C. A. CALDWELL, A. A. SHUFORD, R. C. WHITENER, Committee. LOSS OF LIFE REGRETTED BY GERMAN AMBASSADOR. Says He Regrets Events 6f War Led to Loss of American Lives. Washington Disatch, 10th. Count Von Bernstroff, the German ambassador, called on Secretary of State Bryan to-day . and expressed deep regret "that the events of war had led to the loss of so many. Amer ican lives." He did not mention the Lusitania disaster. . After a half hour's conference be tween the Ambassador and secretary of state, the following statement was, by mutual agreement, given out by Secretary Bryan: "The German ambassador called at the state department to-day and ex pressed, deep, regret; that the events of the war had led to the loss of so many American lives." Material is being placed for the be ginning of the dredging work on Grant's creek. This is the creek which passes near the western lim its of the city of Salisbury. It will be dredged for a number of miles and nearly to its mouth at the Yadkin river. The channel will be 30 feet wide and 10 feet deep. friendly tones, but is unmistakably firm. By the suggestion that German submarine commanders must have misunderstood their instructions or that the German Government could not have intended to destroy innocent lives, room is given for a disavowal by Germany of the practices in the war zone and an assurance that fu ture attacks will be prohibited. Coroner's Verdict Appalling Crime Contrary J& International Law "Germaiiy v Guilty of Wholesale MurdeB Kinsale, Ireland, Dispatch, 10th. The coroner's jury investigating deaths of five persons drowned whea the Cunarder Lusitania ! was .sunk, bar : a German submarine last !PridayJre turned a verdict here to-day charging "the officers of said submarine and the . the Emperor and Government of Ger many, under whose orders they acted, with the crime of wholesale murder before the tribunal ox, the civilize' world." Captain Turnej of the Lusitaroa was the principal witness. He toI3t the jury he did not see any subma rines either before or after his ship was torpedoed. He was on the bridge when his vessel first was struck anil immediately gave orders for the low ering of the boats and the placing of the women and children in them. He said there was no panic; that it was almost calm. Many of the boats could not b lowered because of the list of the steamer the tneas continued. He was unable to say how many boats were put overboard, nor was he able to tell the extent of the damage to the Lusitania. He gave it as his opinion, however, that the water- tight compartments werB blow asunder by the force of the explo sion. These compartments he said were all closed when the ship ws struck and yet she remained afloat only 18 minutes. Carried Out Orders. Captain Turner said that after the warnings at New York that Lusi tania would be torpedoed he did not make any application to the Ad miralty for an escort. It is their business, not mine. I simply had jfco carry out my orders to jgq, and X-'-' would do it again" declared the wit ness with emphasis. Among other witnesses heard was Ship's Bugler Livermore, He testi fied that all the water-tight ctwav. partments were closed, but that the ' force of the explosion anoT rush sj&" water must have burst them- EpfiO' In summing up the ease Corone-" Hogan charged that the responsi bility "lay on the German Govern ment and the whole people of Ger many who collaborated in the ter rible crime." Coroner's Verdict. The verdict of the coroner's jury follows: "We find that the deceased" jnet death from prolonged immersion slq&""" exhaustion in the sea -eight rnilei-south-southwest of Old Head' of Kin sale, Friday, May 7, 1916, owing. Zttii the sinking of the Lusitania- by. tor pedoes fired by a German submarines "We find that this appalling crime" was committeed contrary Jto inter national law and the conventions tir" " all civilized nations. ' "We also charge the officers i of said submarine and the Emperor and Government of Germanf, under whose orders they acted with the crime of wholesale murder before the tribunal of the civijized world. "We desire to express sineere corP dolence and sympathy with the rela tives of the deceased, the Cunarifr Company and the United States', many of whose citipens perished ia this murderous attack on an- un armed 'liner." 7 Coroner Hogan said that the first torpedo fired by. the; German subma-t rinev did serious damage' to the: Lusi tania, but that, not satisfied with thisr' . the Germans had discharjgedote -torpedo. The ' second " torpedo, tat7. ' '- :' said, must have i been' mtTre dead&fc' because it went rigWf throrigt" flier . ship, hastening the work of deafejxc ' tion. - :'J- - - Germany Gives Her Reason Fj theSmlrfas, Berlin Dispatch, 9th. Germany to-day took official c)g nizance of the sinking of the ' "Lusi tania. An official statement was .is sued explaining" why it-was eunlt. "The Lusitania not cny-.was arm ed," said the statement, "but It'ouH. ried large quantities of munitions. The owners, therefore, knew the dag gers. They alone bear the responsi bility. Germany left nothing undone to protect passengers. Strang warn ings were repeatedly published, hat the English press sneered, replying upon the protection of the British fleet."
The News-Herald (Morganton, N.C.)
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May 13, 1915, edition 1
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