New-York tribune., 1915-05-31
Full German Note Increases Tension;
Strongly Justifes Whole Submarine Policy;
Friendly in Tone, Puts Off Final Repl


is further known the imperial government from trust
worthy reports from its agents and neutral that for
considerable time practically all the auable British mer
chantmen have been equipped with and ammunition and
other and manned with have been specially
trained serving The Lusania, too, according to nfor
here had aboard which mounted
and concealed below decks.
The imperial government further has the honor to direct
particular attention of the American to the tact
that the British Admiralty a confidential instruction issued IN
February, 1915 recommended its mercantile shipping not only
seek protection under neutral flags and distinguishing marks
but also, while thus disguised to attack German submarines by
ranmng AS special naon to merchantmen to destroy sub
Marines the British also offered high prizes and has
already paid such rewards.
The mperiaI government in view these facts Individually
known TO it. is unable to regard British merchantmen the
operations specified by the Admiralty staff OF the German
navy undefcnded German aande consequently are
longer able observe the customary regulations OF the prize
law which they before always followed.
Finally the imperial government point out particularly
that the Lusitana trip earlier occasions carried
Canadian troops and material including less than o4Oo
of ammunition intended for the destruction of the brave
German soldiers who fulfilling their duty with sesacrice
and devotion in the Fatherland's service.
The German government believes that acting in Justi-
fed sedefence in seeking with all the of warfare at its
disposal protect lives of its soldiers by destroying ammuni
ton intended for the enemy.
The British shipping company have been aware OF the
danger to which the passengers aboard he Lustan
Notwithstanding this attempted deliberately to use the lives OF
American citizens protection for the ammunition aboard and
acted against the clear provisions of the American law which
expressly prohibits forwarding IF ships carry
ing ammunition and provides penalty therefor The company
therefore, anony guilty of the death of passengers
There be doubt according to the definite report OF
the commander which further confirmed by all
other information hat the quick sinking OF the Lusana P'
mary attributable the explosion OF the ammunition shPmen
caused by torpedo The Lutanias passengers would othe
wise in all human probability, have been saved
The imperial government considers the above mentioned
facts porant enough recommend them to the attentive
animation Of the american government
The imperial government while withholding 1t: na deci
sion on the demands advanced connection with the sinking OF
the Lstana until receipt of from the American gov
ernment impeed conclusion to recall here and now
that il took cognance with satisfaction of the medaory pro-
posa submitted by the United States to Berlin and
ondon as basis modus vvend for conducting the mari
time warfare between Germany and Great Britain he imperial
government by its readiness to enter discussion or these
then demonstrated good intentions ample fashion,
The realization of these proposals defeated as well KNOWN
by the declnatory attitude of the British government
The undersigned takes OCCASION ct cetera JAGO".