UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK. IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF THE CUNARD STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED, AS OWNERS OF THE STEAMSHIP "LUSITANIA," FOR LIMITATION OF ITS LIABILITY. THE "LUSITANIA" OPINION OF COURT

[New York, 1918. Original printed front wrapper with wrapper title, as issued. 45, [1 blank] pp. Disbound, lacking rear wrapper, light rubberstamp on blank portion of wrapper. Else Very Good. Inscribed on front wrapper, "To Mr. Arthur H. Masten with the warm regard of Julius M. Mayer."

The Cunard Steamship Company sought an adjudication that it was not liable for the horrific deaths and personal injuries suffered when a German U-Boat sank the Lusitania in 1915. Judge Mayer concludes after examining the evidence, "The proof is absolute" that the "illegal act" of the German submarine commander, targeting a civilian and unarmed vessel, caused the tragedy. Germany acted in violation of a "simple, humane and universally accepted principle" of international law that such a bedrock rule "would not be violated."
Judge Mayer thus holds that the Cunard Company is not liable for the deaths and injuries. However, he says, "it is not to be doubted that the United States of America and her Allies, will well remember the rights of those affected by the sinking of the Lusitania and, when the time shall come, will see to it that reparation shall be made for one of the most indefensible acts of modern times." Mayer, formerly New York's attorney general, was born and raised in New York City, a graduate of CCNY and Columbia Law School. According to the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, 22 September 1922, Mayer was one of only two Jewish United States District Judges.