The Harrison times., 1915-06-05

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
1T is further known to the imperial
government from trustworthy reports
from its agents and neutral passen-
| gers, that for a considerable time prac-
tically all 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 a confidential instruction
| issued in February, 1915, recommended
its mercantile shipping not only to seek
protection under neutral flags and dis
| Itinguishing marks, but also, while thus
rines by ramming. As a special Incl
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, indubltably known to IT, is
unable to regard British merchantmen
in the zone OF naval operations specl-
| fed by the admiralty star OF the Ger
man navy as 'undefended.' German
commanders consequently are no long
er able to observe the customary regu-
| latlons OF the prize law, which they
before always followed,
H., t,1 mn, ,,V,,in ~
must point out particularly that the
busltania, on its last trip, as on earlier
occasions, carried Canadian troops and
war materials, including no less than
3 400 cases Of ammunition intended for
the destruction OF the brave German
soldiers who are fulfilling their duty
with self-sacrinco and devotion in the
fntherland's service
"The German government believes
II was acting In justified self-defense
I'm seeking with all the means Of war
fare al its disposition to protect the
lives OF It's soldiers by destroying am
munition intended for the enemy.
Tho British shipping company must
have been aware OF the danger to
which the passengers aboard the Lu-
sltania were exposed under these con-
ditionS. The company In embarkinE
them Notwithstanding this, attempted
deliberately TO use the lives OF Amer
lean citizens ms protection for the am
muntion aboard and acted against the
clear provisions OF the American law
which expressly prohibits the forward
Ing OF passengers on ships carrying
ammunition and provides penalty
therefor, The company, therefore, Is
wantonly guilty Of the death OF 20
many passengers,
There can be no doubt, according 10
the deAnlte report OF tho submarines
I ~ a a. a oh 10 hon AFgg,
ed by all other Information, that tho
quick sinking OF the Lusitania IL pri-
marily attributable to the explosion OF
the ammunition shipment caused by n
torpedo, Tho Lusitani0 passengers
would otherwise, In all human proba-
bility have been saved
"Phc imperial government considers
the aforementioned facts important
enough 20 recommend them 20 the at
tentivo examination of the American
government, while Withholding It's
flnal decision on the demands advanced
In connection with the sinking Of tho
lusitania until receipt Of an answer
from the American government, feels
now that II took cognizancc with sat
isfoction Of the mcdiatOry proposals
submitted by tho United states govern
ment to Berlin and London Aa n basis
Tor modus vlVeudi for conducting the
maritime warfare Germany and Great
Britain.
"Thc imperial government, by lta
readiness TO onter upon n discussion
Of those proposals, thCn demonstrated
It's good intentions In ample fashion,
The realization Of these proposals. was
defeated, 0s is well known, by the de-
cllnatory attitude Of the British gov
ornmcnt,
"The undersigned takes this occa-
sion, ctcp JOGOW,"