We must give a brief summary of the fade about
the Lusitania.' Before this famous liner sailed from New York the American newspapers had published an advertisement signed by the German Ambassador in Washington to the effect that Americans crossing the Atlantic in any vessel flying the British flag, or the flag of any of Britain's allies, would do so at their own risk. Telegrams were also sent to well-known Americans. No one applied the warning with any seriousness to the • Lasitania.' It seemed incredible that Germany contemplated the crime of sinking an unarmed liner —the German statement that the Lusitania' carried guns is wholly untrue—with some two thousand non-combatants on board and very little cargo. In any case, it was said that the 'Lusitania's' great speed would give her complete security. On the afternoon of Friday week she was a few miles off the Irish coast in calm and bright weather when she was torpedoed without warning. Captain Turner, who was in command, said that he saw the wake of the torpedo. There was a second explosion, but he did not know whether it was due to another torpedo or was an internal explosion. The' Lusitania' at once listed over. Unfortunately the engines had been damaged by the torpedo which had penetrated the ship, and they could not be worked. Otherwise they would have been reversed to atop the vessel. In these circumstances the launching of the boats was a difficult and dangerous business. In a little over half an hour the ' Lusitania' had disappeared.
