The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-06-25

cording TO information received here
had annon aboard which Were mount.
ed and concealed below decks. To
direct the particular attention OF the
American government to the fact that
the British admiralty. in a confidential
instruction issued in February. 1915,
recommended its mercantile shipping
not only 10 seek protection under neu'
trail fags and distinguishing marks,
but also while thus disguised, toattack
German submarines by ramming. As
a special mediation 10 merchantmen 70
destroy submarines. the British gov
eminent also offered high prizes and
has already paid such rewards.
Says Liner Carried War Material.
The imperial government In view
OF these facts indubitably known to IL,
is unable to regard British merchant
men in the zone OF naval operations
specified BY the admiralty stan OF the
German navy as undetended. German
commanders consequently are no
longer able 20 observe the customary
regulations OF the prize law, which
they before always followed
Finally. the imperial government
must point out particularly that the
Lusitania on It's last trip. as on earlier
occasions. carried Canadian troops and
war material. including no less than
500 cases OF ammunition intended
for the destruction of brave German
soldiers who are fulfilling their duty
with self-sacrince and devotion in the
fatherland's service.
The German government believes
IL was acting In justified selfdefense
in seeking with all the means Of war
fare at its disposition to protect the
lives OF It's soldiers by destroying am
munition for the enemy.
Puts Blame on Ship Owners
The British shipping company must
have been aware OF the danger TO
which the passengers aboard the Lusi.
tania were exposed under these condi
tions. The company In embarking
them. Notwithstanding this. attempted
deliberately TO use the lives of Ameri-
al citizens as protection for ammu-
milton 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 a penalty
therefor. The company therefore is
wantonly guilty OF the death Of SO
many passengers.
There can be no doubt. according
to the definite report Of the subma-
rine's commander. which is further
confirmed by all information. that the
quick sinking OF the Lusitania is pr.
marty attributable 10 the explosion OF
the ammunition shipment caused by a
torpedo. The Lusitania's passenger
would otherwise. in all human prob
ability. have been saved.
The imperial government considers
the above mentioned facts important
enough to recommend them 10 the At
tentive examination OF the American
government
Withholds Final Decision.
The imperial government. while
Withholding its final decision on the
demands advanced ia connection with
the sinking OF the Lusitania until re-
ceipt OF an answer from the American
government. feels impelled. in con clu.
sion, to recall here and now that It
took cognizance with satisfaction Of
the mediatory proposals submitted by
the United States government to Der.
lin and London as a basis for modus
viyendi for conducting the maritime
warfare between Germany and Great
Britain The imperial government BY
its readiness 10 enter upon a discus
sion OF these proposals. then demon.
strated its good intentions in ample
fashion. The realizatio OF these pro
posals was defeated. as is well known.
by the declinatory attitude OF the Brit
ish government.
The undersigned takes occasion,
etc. JAG0W-"