Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-05-31

States proceeds on the assumption that
the Lusitania could be regarded as an
ordinary unarmed merchantmen. The
imperial government allows itself in
this connection to point out that the
Lusitania was one of the largest and
fastest British merchant ships built
with government funds as an auxil-
iary cruiser and carried expressly as
such in the navy list issued by the
British admiralty.
Had Cannon Concealed.
cit is further known to the i'm
perial government from trustworthy
reports 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 specially trained
in serving guns. The Lusitania too,
according to information received, had
cannon aboard which We're mounted
and concealed below decks.
The imperial government further
has the honor to direct the particu-
lar attention of the American govern
ment that the British admiralty in a
confidential instruction, issued in Feb
ruary 1915 recommended its mercan-
tile shipping not only to seek protec-
ton under neutral flags and distin-
gushing marks, but also, while thus
disguised, to attack German subma-
rines by ramming. AS special in
citation to merchantmen to destroy
submarines, the British government
also offered high prizes and has al
ready paid such rewards.
"The imperial government, in view
of these facts indubitably known to
it, is unable to regard British mer-
chantmen in the zone of naval opera
tiOns specified by the admiralty staff
Of the German navy as 'undefended.'
German commanders consequently are
no longer able to observe the custom
a1y regulations of the prize law, which
they before always followed.
Carried Troops and Contraband.
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 400 cases of ammunition intend
ed for the destruction of the brave
German soldiers who are fulfilling
their duty with self sacrifice and de-
vOtion in the Fatherland's service.
Believes Action Was Justified.
''The German government believes
that it was acting in justified self
defense in seeking with all the means
of warfare at its disposition to pro-
tect the lives of its soldiers by des-
trOying ammunition intended Tor the
enemy.
"The British shipping company must
have been aware of the danger to
which the passengers aboard the Lusi-
tania were exposed under these con-
ditions. The company in embarkinS
them, Notwithstanding this attempted
deliberately to use the lives of Amer
lean citizens as protection for the am
munition aboard and acted against the
clear provisions of the American law,
which expressly prohibits the for
warding of passengers on ships car
rying ammunition and provides a PEN
atty therefor. The company, therefore
is wantonly guilty of the death OF 50
many passengers.
Explosion of Ammunition.
"There can be no doubt according
to the definite report of the subm&0
rine's commander, which is furthR
confirmed by all other information
that the sinking of the usitania is pr4>
marily attributable to the eXplos1o@
of the ammunition shipment caused by
a torpedo. The Lusitanla's passen-
gers would. otherwise, in all human
probability, have been saved.
"The imperial government conSf9ef1
the above mentioned facts tmp0frHnt
enough to recommend them to tne ct
tentive examination Of the American
government.
Demonstrated Good Intentions.
1.-THE imperial government, while
Withholding its final decision on the
demands advanced in connection with
the sinking of the Lusitania until re-
ceipt of an answer from the Ameri-
can government feels impelled in con-
c1usion to recall here and now that
it took cognizance with satisfaction OF
the mediatory proposals submitted by
the United States government to
Berlin and London as a basis for a
modus vivendi for conducting the mar
itime warfare between Germany and
Great Britain. The imperial govern
ment by it's readiness to enter on a
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.
4tJAGOW"