The Monticellonian., 1915-06-03

Lusitania was one of the largest and fastest British merchant ships. built with government funds as an auxiliary cruiser and carried expressly as such in the Navy List issued by the British admiralty.
 ''It is further known to the imperial government from trustworthy reports from its agents and neutral passen- gers that for a considerable time prac- tically ell the more valuable British merchantmen 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 to information received here, had cannon aboard. which were mounted and con cealed below decks.
 The imperial government further has the honor to direct the particular attention of the American govern ment to the fact that the British ad- miralty. in confidential instruction issued in February, 1915, recommended its mercantile shipping not only to seek protection under neutral flags and dis tingufshing marks, but also. while thus disguised, to attack German subma- rfnes by ramming. AS special fnci- tation to merchantmen to destroy sub marines. the British government also offered high prizes and has already paid such rewards.
 The imperial government. in view of these facts. indubitably known to it. is unable to regard British merchantmen in the zone of naval operations speci- fled by the admiralty staff of the Ger man navy as 'undefended German commanders consequently are no long CT able to observe the customary regu- lations of the prize law, which they before always followed.
 Finally, the imperial government must point out particularly that tho Lusitania, on its last trip, as on earlier occasions carried Canadian troops and war materials. including no less than 5,400 cases of ammunition intended for the destruction of the brave German soldiers who are fulfilling their duty with self-sacrifice and devotion In the fatherland's service.
 The German government believes 1t was acting in justified self defense in seeking with all the means of war fare at its disposition to protect the lives of its soldiers by destroying am intuition intended for the enemy.
 The British shipping company must have been aware of the danger to which the passengers aboard the Lu- sitanta were exposed under these con- dftfons The company in embarking them, notwithstanding this, attempted deliberately to use the lives of Amer ican citizens as protection for the am- intuition aboard and acted against tn @ clear provisions of the American law which expressly prohibits the forward ing of passengers on ships carrying anu pIoNiucS ptHalty therefor. The company. therefore. is wantonly guilty of the death of 90 many passengers
 There can be no doubt. according to the definite report of the submarine s commander, which Is further confirm ed by all other information. that the quick sinking Of the Lusitania Is pri- marily attributable to the explosion of the ammunition shipment caused by a torpedo. The Lusitanfa passengers would otherwise. in all human proba- bi1fty. have been saved
 The imperial government considers the aforementioned facts important enough to recommend them to the at tentive examination of the American government. while withholding Its final decision on the demands advanced In connection with the sinking of the Lusitanfa until receipt of an answer from the American government. feels now that il took cognizance with sat fsfaetion Of the mediatory proposals submitted by the United States govern ment to Berlin and London as a basis for modus vivendi for conducting the maritime warfare Germany and Great Britain
 The imperial government, by its readiness to enter upon discussion of these proposals, then demonstrated Its good intentions in ample fashion The realization of these proposals was defeated. as is well known, by the de- clinatory attitude of the British gov ernment
 The undersigned takes this occa- sion etc, JOGOW"