The commonwealth., 1915-06-03
SCOTLAND NECK, N. c., THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1915.

Government
An Auxiliary Cruiser.
"In the interest Of g. clear and CON-
plete understanding whicn is the aim
CT both Governments, the Imperial
Government considers it first, neces-
sary to convince itself that the in
formation accessible to both Govern
n2e-1ts about the facts of the case Is
complete and in accord. The Govern
ment Of the United States proceeds on
the assumption that the Lusiatania
could be regarded as an ordinary I'M
armed merchantmen. The Imperial
Government allows itself in this con
nectfon TO point out that the Lusi-
tania was one Of the largest and fast
est British merchant ships, built with
Government funds as an auxiliary
cruiser and carried expressly as such
la the Navy list Issued by the British
Admiralty.
1T IS further known to the I'm
peIial Government, from trustworthy
reports from its agents and neutral
passengers, that for a considerable
time practically all the more valuable
British merchantmen have been
equipped with cannon and ammuni-
tion and other weapons and manned
with persons who have been specially
trained il serving guns. The Lusi-
! tania, too, according to information.
received here had cannon aboard
which were mounted and concealed
! below decks.
/ Prizes for Ramminq
/ The Imperial Government further
has the honor to direct the particular
/ attention of the American Government
, to the fact that the British admiralty
! Ia @ confidential instruction, issued In
! February, 1916, recommended It's mer
camille shipping not only to seek pro
lection under neutral flags and distin-
! gushing marks, but also, while thus
! disguised to attack German suDma-
Tines by rammins. AS a special Incl
tatton to merchantmen to destroy sub
marines the British government also
offered higl, prizes and has already
paid such rewards
"TEe Imperial government in view
OF these facts, indubitably known to
it, IS unable to regard British mer-
| chantnen in the zone OF naval oper-
ations specified by the admiralty staff
oa the German navy as 'undefended
German commanders consequently are
no ienger able to observe the custom
ary r1s;::2 ions OF the prize law, which
they for<e always followed.
s-Szy s%,.fg y ,@< 4t.te~isT.
g. "Iaa1!s~. the Ilss#5ssria, sovar,, n ent
must point out particularly that the
Jtusitan;a OF lis last trip, as on earlier
occasions, carried Canadian troops and
war nlat2rial, including no less than
$500 cases Of ammunition intended
for the destruction Of the brave Ger
man soldiers who are fulfilling their
duty with self-sacriice and devotion
in the fatherland's service.
: "The German government believee
It wss acting N justified seif-aeeense
| in seeking with all the means Of war
! fare at its disposition to protect tbs
lives Of its soldiers by destroying am
huni.ion intended for the enemy.
"Tle British shipping company
must have been aware Of the danger
to which tho passengers aboard ths
Lusltania were exposed under thess
conditions. The company IN embark
ing them. Notwithstanding this at
tempted deliberately to use the live;
CT American citizens as protection fo
the ammunition aboard and actos
against the clear provisions Of til,
; American law which expressly pro
h;bits the Forwarding Of passengers Q,
ships carrying ammunition and pro
vides q penalty therefor. The CON
pany, therefore, Is wantenly guilty o
the death Of 50 many passengers
There can be no doubt, accordin;
S to the definite report Of the subma
4 rina's commander which is furthe
S confirmed by ell other inforn3a tior
y that the quick sinking Of the Lusitani
J, is primarily attributable to the exple
: sion Of the ammunition silfpmen
: caused by torpedo. The Lusitani
passengers would otherwise, in all hi
man probability, have been saved.
Il "she Imperial government consif
= ers the ehoTe-,n enticnei facts impo.
?, ta6t enough to Recommend them t
y tho attentive exalnna ticn OF tn
8 American government.
Q W!tthcic!a Final Decision.
D 'FIhe imperial government, whil
Withholding it's final decision On Il,
demands advanced in connection wit
2 the sinking Of the Lusitana until +.
T. ceipt OF an answer from the America
$ government feels impelled in concil
Il sion, to recall here and now, that
se took ccgnizance with satisfaction
If the mediatory proposals submitted b
e the United States government to Be
al Hin and London as g basis for mcdr
" viyendi for conducting the martin
of warfare between Germany and Gre;
Rrita3 IN. The Imperial government,
its readiness to enter upon discu
ar sion OF these proposals, then demo
Ia strated its good intentions in amp
" fashion. The realization of these pr
Ill posaIs was defeated, as is well know
1e by the Geclinatory attitude OF the Brt
to ish government.
lp THE undersigned takes occasio
IN etc.
Is (Signad) "JAGOW."
to
80 British TuIlochroor Sunk.