The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1915-06-04
EXPRESSES REGRET FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED BY AMERICANS
oasrs Compensation Germany wrans
Note Reviews American Vessels and Holds
Them unatsndonaL

giiNWH liHtA IN kAAh NNNhAaAt"A 70
point out that the Lusitanla was one
OF the lareest and fastest British mer-
chant ships built wlth government
funds a. an auxiliary cruiser and car
rlsd expressly as such in the navy
list issued by the British Admiralty
n "A further known 20 the Imperial
government. fFom trustworthy reports
from he agents and neutral passengers
that Cor a considerable time practical.
ly an the more valuable British meF.
chantmen have been equipped with
cannon and ammunition and other
weapons and manned with persons
who have been specially trained in
serving Guns The Lusitania. too.
according 10 Information received here
had cannon aboard. which were mount.
ad and concealed below decks.
"rho Imperial government further.
has TIE honor 20 direct the particular
attention OF the American government
10 the fact that the British admiralty,
IN a confidential Instruction. issued IN
February, 1915. recommended rs mer-
camille shipping only 20 seek protec-
ton under neutral aags and diatia-
gushing marks. but also, while thus
disguised 20 attack German sabma-
rincs by ramming As a special IN
citation to merchantmen % destroy
submarines. the British government
also offered high prizes and had al
ready paid such rewards
The imperial government IN view
OF these facts. indubitably known to Il.
Is unable to regard British merchant
men IN the rome Of naval operations
specified by the admiralty stan Of ths
German navy az 'undeicndsd' German
commanders consequently are no Ion.
ger able to observe the customary rss.
ulatlons OF the prize law. which they
before always followed.
Finally. the imperial government
must point out particularly that the
Lusitania on its last tFip AZ on earlier
occasions. carried Canadian troops and
war material. including 10 less than
5lO0 cases Of ammunition intended foT
the destruction of the brave German
soldiers who are fulfilling their duty
with selfsaorlfco and devotion in the
fatheflahd's service.
"The German government believes
II was acting Ia justified self.dsfenss
in seeking with all the means Of war
fare at Ne disposition 10 protect the
lives OF ne soldiers BY destroying am
munltion Intended for the enemy.
The British shipping company must
have been aware OF the danger 70
which the passengers aboard the Lusf
tanla we're exposed under these conti
tons The company N embardng
! them, Notwithstanding this, attempted
deliberately to use The lives Of Amer.
can citizens as protection for the am
, munltlon aboard and acted against
/ the clear provisions Of the American
, law. which expressly prohibits the
I forwarding Of passengers on ships car
rylng ammunition and provides 4 pen.
r atty therefor The company, therefors
, tis wanionly guilty Of the death Of 30
i. many passengers.
i There can be no doubt. according
' 70 the definite report OF the subm1
!. rins's commander. which is further
4 confirmed BY all other information that
I, the quick sinking Of the Lualtania Il
d primarily attributable TO the explosion
q Of ammunition shipment caused by a
!. torpedo The busitanla passengers
: would otherwise IN all human probab.
n llity, have been saved.
0 The imeprial government considers
the above mentioned facts important
q enough to recommend them 70 the al
# ,entiye examination Of the American
j. government
, The imperial government. willis
n Withholding lie final decision on the
Il demands advanced In connection with
the sinking Of the Lusitania until re.
v celpt Of an answer from the American
Ie government. feels impelled in conclu-
is sion, TO recall here and now. that II
z took cognlzance with satisfaction d
d the mediatory proposals submitted b
n the United States government to Ber
lin and London as a basis for a modul
q. vivendi for conducting the martins
m warfare between Germany and Greai
a britain. The imperial government. b
$. its readiness TO enter upon a discus
r. sion Of these proposals .Aen demon
Is strated its good intentions in ampli
te fashion. The realization Of these pru
be psoals was defeated. az is well know
D. By he decllnatory attitude Of the Brit
Q ish government.
n The Undersigned takes occasion