NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE official figures of the loss of life in the 'Titanic' were published on Friday week after our last issue had gone to press. The loss was worse than we had supposed, amounting to 1,635 persons. On the same day there was a most impressive memorial service at St. Paul's, at which representatives of the Government., of the Colonies, and of foreign countries were present. The inquiry by the Senate Committee has been pro- ceeding in America. We may note a few points. It is admitted that the ' Titanic ' was steaming almost at full speed, although a warning had been received as to the presence of ice. Unfortunately, it was not made clear whether her course bad been directed more to the south in order to skirt the ice. In respect of speed, however, we must admit that Captain Smith was only doing what all other captains would have done. On Tuesday the third officer of the ' Titanic ' stated that persons with lifebelts were struggling in the water for an hour after the sinking of the ship. He would have gone to their rescue, as he had room in his boat for twenty more, but the passengers objected, owing to their fear of being swamped. On the same day the look-out man stated that he had no glasses, although be had applied for them, and in his opinion he could have seen the ice with glasses soon enough for the Titania' to avoid it.
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