The Carlisle independent., 1915-06-03

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.
 Tt is further known to the imperial government, from trustworthy reports from its agents and neutral passen- gers. that for 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 tinguishing marks, but also. while thus disguised, to attack German subma- 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. indubitably known to it. is Oi3bIS to regard 6TlllSn l1efC09DINl6 ell in the zone of naval operations speci- fed by the admiralty staff of the Ger man navy as 'undefeuded.' German commanders consequently are no long CT able to observe the customary regu- lations of the prize law, which they i 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 materials, including no less than 5,400 cases of ammunition intended for the destruction of the brave German soldiers who are fulfilling their duty with self-sacrifice and devotion in the fatherland's service
 The German government believes 1t was acting in justified self defense in seeking with all the means of war fare al its disposition to protect the lives of its soldiers by destroying am- muuition intended for the enemy
 The British shipping company must have been aware of the danger to which the passengers aboard the Tu- dItlons. The company in embarking them, notWithStanding this attempted deliberately to use the lives of Amer fean citizens Is protection for the ann intuition 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 14tSA SiNE- 1 iIF NOAIpdnSr therefore, IS wantonly guilty of the death of so many passengers.
 There can be no doubt. according to the definite report of the submarines commander. which is further confirm ed by all other information, that the quick sinking of the Lusitania is pri- mariiy attributable to the explosion Of i the ammunition shipment caused by a ] torpedo. The Lusitania passengers would otherwise. in all human proba- i bilitv. have been saved.
 The imperial government considers the e-mentioned facts important enough to recommend them to the at tentive examination Of the American government. while withholding it's final decision on the demands advanced in connecticut with the sinking of the Lusitania until receipt of an answer from the American government feels now that it took eognizance with sat fsfaetian of the mediatory proposals submitted by the United States govern ment to Berlin and London as a basis for modus yivendi for conducting the maritime warfare Germany and Great Britain.
 The imperial government by it's readiness to enter upon a discussion Of these proposals. then demonstrated It's good intentions in ample fa ashion The realization of these proposals was l defeated, as is we'll known. by the de- chnatory attitude of the British gov- ernment
 The undersigned takes this occa- son. etc. JOGOW."