East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-05-31


sary to convince itself that the infor-
nation accessible to both govern.
ments about the facts of the case is
complete and in accord.
The government Of the United
States proceeds on the assumption
that the Lusitania could be regarded
as an ordinary unarmed merchant
man. The imperial government al
lows itself in this connection to point
out that the Lusitan.a was one of the
largest and fastest British merchant
ships, built with government funds as
an auxiliary cruiser and carried ex-
pressly as such in the Navy List is
sued by the British admiralty.
British Merchantmen Declared Armed
1T is further known to the imperial
government, from trustworthy re-
ports from its agents and neutral
passengers, that for a considerable
time practically all the more valuable
British merchantmen have been equip
ped with cannon and ammunition and
other weapons and manned with per-
sons who have been especially trained
in serving guns.
THE Lusitania. too, according toI
information received here, had can
non aboard. which were mounted and
concealed 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 a confidential instruction
issued in February. 1915, recommend
ed its mercantile shipping not only to
seek protection under neutral flags
and distinguishing marks, but also,
while thus disguised, to attack Ger
man submarines by ramming. As a
special incitaton to merchantmen to
destroy submarines, the British gov
eminent also offered high prizes and
has already paid such rewards.
Vessel Not "Undefended."
The imperial government in view
of these facts indubitably known to
/ 1t. is unable to regard their merchant
men in the zone Of naval operations
specified by the admiralty staff of
the German navy as 'undefended.'
German commanders consequently are
no longer able TO observe the GUS
tomary 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 earlier
occasions, carried Canadian troops
and war material, including no less
than $500 cases of ammunition in
tended for the destruction of the
brave German soldiers who are full
filling their duty with self sacrifice
and devotion in the fatherland's SER
vice.
Sinking Held Justified.
The German government believes
that II was acting in justified self-de-
fense in seeking with all the means
of warfare at its disposal to pro-
tect the lives of its soldiers by destroy
ing ammunition intended for the
enemy
The British shipping company must
have been aware of the danger to
which the passengers aboard the Lu-
sitania 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 aboard and acted
against the clear provisions Of the
American law, which expressly pro-
hibits the forwarding Of passengers
on ships carrying ammunition and
provides a penalty therefor. The
company therefore is wantonly guilty
OF the death of so many passengers.
Quick Sinking Laid to 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 attributed to the
explosion of~the ammunition shipment
caused by torpedo. The Lusitania's
Passengers would otherwise, in all
human probability, have been saved.
Tn imperial government considers
the aforementioned facts important
enough to recommend them to the at
tentive examination Of the American
government
The imperial government. while
Withholding its first decision on the
demands advanced in connection with
the sinking Of the Lusitania until re-
eeipt of an answer from the American
government, feels impelled in conclu-
sion to recall here and now that IT
took cognizanee with satisfaction of
the mediatory proposals submitted by
the United States government 10 Ber.
lin and London as basis for a modus
vivendi for conducting the maritime
warfare between 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
declinatory attitude Of the British
government.
The undersigned takes occasion
etc"
HTA1Nvyn