The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-31
Says Lusitania Carried Cannon.


ut is further known to the imperial
government from trustworthy reports
from its agents and neutral passengers
that for considerable time practical
ly all the more valuable British mer-
chantmen have been equipped with
cannon and ammunition and other
munitions. and manned with persons
who have been specially trained IN
serving guns. The LuSitan1a, too, ac-
cording to information received here,
had cannon aboard which were
mounted and concealed below decks
1.-The imperial government, further,
has the honor t. direct the particular
attention of the American government
to the fact that the British admiralty,
in confidential instruction issued in
FEBRUARY, 1915, reCOmmen ended ltS mer-
camille shipping not only to seek pro-
lection under neutral flags and dis
tinguishing marks, but, also, While
thus disguised, to attack German sub
marines by ramming. AS special
submarines, the British government
also offered high prizes and has al
ready paid such rewards.
Merchantment Not ''Undefended."
1.-The imperial government, in view
of these facts, indubitably known to 1t,
is unable to regard British merchant
men in the zone of naval operations
specified by the admiralty staff of the
German navy, as tundefended.' Ger
man commanders, consequently, are
no longer dDle TO observe the
airy regulations of the prize law, which
they before always followed
Finally, the imperial government
must point out particularly that the
Lusitania, on its last trip, as on ear
lier occasions, carried Canadian troops
and war material, including not less
than 5,400 cases of ammunition in
tended for the destruction of the
brave German soldiers who are full
filling their duty with self sacrifices
and devotion in the fatherland's
service.
Alleges Self Defense.
1.-The German government believes
that it was acting in justified self de-
Tense in seeking with all the means of
warfare at it's disposition to protect
the lives of it's soldiers by destroying
ammunition intended for the enemy.
THE British Shipping company
must have been aware of the danger
to which the passengers aboard the
LuSitania were exposed under these
conditions. The company, in embark
ing them, Notwithstanding this, at
tempted deliberately to use the lives
of American citizens as protection for
the ammunition and against the clear
provision of the American law which
expressly prohibits the forwarding of
passengers on ships carrying ammuni-
ton and provides a penalty therefor.
The company, therefore, is wantonly
guilty of the death of SO many pas
sengers.
Explosion of Ammunition.
There can be no doubt, according
TO the definite report of the subma-
rine's commander, which is further
confirmed by all other information,
that the quick sinking of the Lusi-
tania, is primarily attributable to the
explosion of the ammunition shipment
caused by torpedo. The Lusitania's
passengers would otherwise, in all hu-
man proba bility, have been saved.
The imperial government considers
the above mentioned facts important
enough to recommend them to the at
tentive examination Of the American
government. -
The imperial government, while
withholding it's final decision on the
demands advanced in connection with
the sinking of the Lusitania, until re-
ceipt of an answer from the American
government, feels impe1led in conclu-
sion to recall, here and now, that it
took cOgniZance with satisfaction of
the mediatory proposals submitted by
the United States government to Ber-
lin and London a basis for a moduS
vivendi for conducting the maritime
warfare between Germany and Great
Britain. The imperial government by
its readiness to enter upon a discussion
of these proposals, then demonstrate
ed its good intentions in ample fash
ION. The realization of these proposals
was defeated, as is we'll known, by the
declinatory attitude of the British
government.
''The undersigned takes occasion
etc.
(SigneO "JAGOW."