727. LUSITANIA - ARMED OR UNARMED? Intriguing grouping of 19 T.L.S.'s and 2 A.L.S.'s, all 1915-16 and written to German-American consulting engineer Frank Koester in New York, an ardent German sympathizer in the days leading up to America's entry into World War I. Three of the letters directly concern allegations that the doomed passenger liner Lusitania, sunk by a German submarine's torpedo two months earlier, had carried either mounted or unmounted guns aboard. The first letter, on Cunard Steamship letterhead, New York, July 29, 1915 indicates that reports by the New York Tribune and journalist Richard Harding Davis were not correct adding: "The 'Lusitania' was never armed, never carried, or had onboard, any guns, either mounted or unmounted, or stored in her hold since she was built...". A second letter is written by U.S. Second Asst. Sec. of State Alvey Adee on official letterhead, 1p. 4to., Washington, Aug. 9, 1915: "...The Department does not usually reply to inquiries where the interest of the writer is not made to appear; but informs you that it has been advised by the Department of the Treasury that the cargo of the LUSITANIA consisted largely of contraband, but that the neutrality men on board her daily until she cleared from New York report there were no guns mounted...[and] none on board the ship...". An Aug 6, 1915 letter on Treasury dept letterhead, sent from New York, notes: "...I have to state that from the outbreak of the war, the LUSITANIA was carefully searched by inspectors detailed specially to that duty...and in no instance were any guns found on board, mounted or unmounted...". Controversy still rages as to whether the Lusitania carried any defensive cannons aboard. The vessel was fitted with gun mount rings, and many have provided evidence that several cannon may have been stored below decks or in the forecastle, thereby legitimizing the German attack. It is known that the vessel was carrying a large quantity of shrapnel shells and rifle cartridges, which did not appear as cargo until a revised manifest was released after the vessel's sinking. No mention of any "guns", however, was made thereon. Other letters include one from Secretary of State ROBERT LANSING addressing a rumor of Americans with German names being forcibly removed from neutral ships by English authorities. Lansing advises the man to obtain a passport and simply refrain from visiting countries which are at war. Much of the remaining correspondence is from German Ambassador Johann Heinrich von Bernsdorff, an apologist for the U-boat captain who sank the Lusitania, and concerns Koester's efforts to obtain a title for himself, his writings, etc. Overall fine condition, and a "must" for the Lusitania and World War I collector. $600 - 800