The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-06-05

Lusitania was one Of the largest and
fastest British merchant ships. built
with government funds a. an auxiliary
in the Navy List issued by the British
admiralty.
TT is further known to the imperial. 4.
government. from trustworthy reports
from its agents and neutral passen-
tfcally all the more valuable British
merchantmen have been equipped with
cannon and ammunition. and other
weapons. and manned with persons who
have been speedily trained ain .nnrcr in ssrviIs
Information received here. had cannon
aboard. which were mounted and con-
cesled 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 q 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 IL. IL
unable to regard British merchantmen
IN the zone of naval operations speci-
ned by the admiralty stan of the Ger
man navy as 'undefended' German
commanders consequently are no long
er able to observe the customary regu-
lations Of the prize law. which they
before always followed.
Finally. the imperial government
must point out particularly that the
Lusitania. on its last trip. as on earlier
occasions. carried Canadian troops and
l rfa1s n N
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
"The German government believes
II was acting in justified self-defense
in seeking with all the means of war
fare at its disposition to protect the
lives Of its soldiers by DESTROYING am
munition intended for the enemy.
The British shipping company must
have been aware Of the danger to
which the passengers aboard the Lu-
sitania were exposed under those con-
them. notwithstandins this. Attempted
deliberately to use the lives Of Amer
ican citizens as protection for the am
munition aboard and acted against the
clear provisions Of the American Law
Ing Of passengers on ships carrying
: ammunition and provides q penalty
therefor. The company. therefore. II
. wantonly guilty Of tho death of sc
I many passengers.
I'll There can be no doubt. according tt
the definite report of the submarine'i
i commander, which. is further confirm'
ed by all other information, that tht
quick sinking Of the Lusitania Is pri
marily attributable to the explosion o.
q the ammunition shipment caused by I
A torpedo. The Lusitania passenger
would otherwise. in all human proba
v bility. have been saved.
4 THE imperial government consider
/. the aforementioned facts importan
u enough to recommend them to the at
, tentive examination Of the Americal
n government. while Withholding II
inal decision on the demands advances
In connection with the sinking of tn
a Lusitania until receipt Of an answe
from the American government, feel
now that II took cognizance with sat
n isfaction Of the mediatory proposal
J. submitted by the United States govern
n ment to Berlin and London as q basi
q for a modus vivendi for conducting tn
n maritime warfare Germany and Grea
Britain.
= The imperial government. by II
, readiness to enter upon a discussio
l. of these proposals. then demonstrate
n its good Intentions in ample fashion
" The realization Of these proposals wa
=, defeated, as Is well known. by the de
N clinatory attitude of the British gov
=, ernment.
d THE undersigned takes this occs
sion, ETC.. JOGOW."