Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-06-01
GERMANS ASSERT THE
RIGHT SINK VESSEL
AND IGNORE DEMAND
Protected By Mounted Guns Concealed Un
Were Aboard Text Of Reply to United
Further Negotiations and
of Chance Diplomatic Break

"The government Of the United States proceeds
on the assumption that the Lusitania could pe re-
garded as an ordinary unarmed merchantmen the
imperial government allows itself in this connection
to point that the Lusitania one OF the largest
and fastest British merchant ships built with govern
ment funds as auxiliary cruiser, and carried ex
pressly as such in the Navy List issued by the
British admiralty.
"It is further known to the imperial government,
trustworthy reports from it's agents and neutral
passengers that for considerable time practically
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 Lustania,
too, according to information received here had
cannon aboard which were mounted and concealed
below decks.
SHIPS ATTACK SUBMARINES
"The imperial government, further, has the honor
to direct the particular attention of the American
ernment to the that the British admiralty, in
confidential instruction issued in February, 1915,
recommended it's mercantile shipping not only to seek
protection under neutral flags and distinguishing
marks, but also, while thus disguised to attack Ger
to merchantmen to destroy submarines the British
also offered high prizes and has already
paid such rewards.
"The imperial government in view of these facts
indubitaby known to it, is unable to regard British
merchantmen in the zone Of naval operations specified
by the admiralty staff of the German navy 'un
defended German commanders consequently are
longer able to observe the customary regulations Of
the prize law, which they before always allowed
MUCH WAR MATERIAL ABOARD
Finally, the imperial government must roint out
particularly that the Lusania on It's last trip,
earlier occasions, carried Canadian troops and
material, including less than 54oo Of
German soldiers who fulfilling their duty with
sefsacrfice and devotion in the fatherlands service
"The German government believes that it
acting in justified selfdefense in seeking with all the
of warfare at its disposition to protect the lives
of its soldiers by DESTROYING ammunition intended for
the enemy.
AMERICAN LAW VIOLATED
""The British Shipping Co. must have been aware
of the danger to which the passengers aboard the
Lusitania were exposed under these conditions. The
company in embarking them, notwithstanding this at
tempted deliberately to the lives of American
citizens protection for the ammunition aboard and
acted against the clear provisions of the American
sengers ships carrying ammunition, and provides
penalty therefor The company, therefore, is
wantonly guilty of the death of many passengers
There be no doubt, according to the definite
report Of the submarines commander which is further
confirmed by all other information that the quick
sinking of the Lusitana primarily attributable to
the explosion of the ammunition shipment caused by
a torpedo The Lusitanias passengers would other
wise, in all human probability have been saved.
"The imperial government considers the above
mentioned facts important enough to recommend them
to the attentive examination of the American govern
o''' FINAL DECISION WITHHELD
"The imperial government, while withholding its
final decision the demands advanced in connection
with the sinking Of the Lusitana until receipt of an
answer from the American government, feels impeled
in conclusion to recall here and that it took cog
nzance with satisfaction of the medatory proposals
submitted by the United States government to Berlin
and London basis for modus vivendi for
Quoting the maritime warfare between Germany and
Great Britain The imperial government, by its readi
ness to enter upon discussion of these proposals.
then demonstrated its good intentions in ample fashion
The realization of these proposals was defeated
is well known, by the declinatory attitude of the
British government.
"(Signed) Jagow"