Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-06-05

| summoned nelp Dy rocket signals, 0lu
the German commander order the
crew and passengers by signals and
megaphones to leave the ship within
ten minutes. He actually allowed
them twenty-three minutes time and
fired the torpedo only when sus.
picious craft were Fastening to the
assistance of the Falaba.
Regarding the loss OF life by the
sinking of the British passenger
steamer Lusitania, the German gov
eminent has already expressed to the
neutral governments concerned its
keen regrets that citizens OF their
states lost their lives.
On this occasion the imperial gov
eminent, however, cannot escape the
impression that certain important
facts having a direct bearing on the
sinking OF the Lusitania may have
escaped the attention of the Ameri-
can government.
In the interest OF q clear and com.
plete understanding, which is the aim
OF both governments, the imperial
government considers 1t first neces-
say to convince itself that the infor-
nation accessible to both govern
ments about the facts Of the case Is
complete and In accord.
THE government of the United
States proceeds on the assumption
that the Lusitania could be regarded
as an ordinary unarmed merchant.
man. The Imperial government allows
itself In this connection to point out
that the Lusitania was one of the
largest and fastest British merchant
ships, built with government funds
as an auxiliary cruiser, and car
ried' expressly as such in the navy
list issued by the British admiralty,
~ Says Lusitania Was Armed.
1T Is further known to the imperial
government, from Trustworthy reports
from Its agents and neutral passen-
gers, that for a considerable time
practically all the more valuable Brit.
ish merchantmen have been equipped
with cannon and ammunition and
other weapons and manned with per
sons who have been specially trained
In serving guns. The Lusitania, too,
according to information received
here, had cannon aboard, which were
mounted and concealed 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, recommend
ed its mercantile shipping not only to
seek protection under neutral flags
and distinguishing marks, but also.
while thus disguised, to attack German
submarines by ramming. AS a special
incitation to merchantmen to destroy
submarines the British government
also offered prizes and has already
paid such rewards,
The imperial government. in view
OF these facts indubitably known to It,
is unable to regard British merchant
men In the zone Of naval operations
specified by the admiralty staff OF the
German navy az 'undefended.' German
commanders consequently are no
longer able to observe the customary
regulations of the prize law, which
they before always followed.
Carried Ammunition.
Finally, the imperial government |
must point out particularly that the
Lusltan1a on Its last trip, as on earlier |
occasions, carried Canadian troops and
war material, including no less than
5 400 cases of ammunition, intended
for the destruction of the brave Ger.
man soldiers who are fulfilling their
duty with self-sacrifices and devotion |
In the fatherland's service.
The German government believes
that 1t was acting In justified self
defense In seeking with all the means
OF warfare at its disposition to pro-
tect the lives Of Its soldiers by de.
stroying ammunition intended for the
enemy.
Biames Ship Company.
The British shipping company
must have been aware OF the danger
TO which the passengers aboard the
LusitaAia were exposed under these
conditions. The company In embark.
ng them, Notwithstanding this, at.
tempted deliberately to- use the lives
of American citizens as protection for
The ammunition aboard and acted
against the clear provisions of the
American law, which expressly prohib-
ts the forwarding OF passengers on
ships carrying ammunition and pro.
Tides a penalty therefor. The com.
)any, therefore, is wantonly guilty of
he death OF so many passengers.
There can BE- NO doubt, according
o the definite report OF the subma-
ines commander. which is further
confirmed by all other Information.
hat the quick sinking OF the Lusi.
ania is primarily attributable to the
explosion OF the ammunition shipment
'aused by a torpedo. The Lusitania's
passengers would otherwise, In all hui
nan probability, have been saved.
The imperial government cousid-
RS the above mentioned facts import
mt enough to recommend them to
he attentive examination OF the Amer.
can government
No Final Decision.
The imperial government, while
its final decision on the
advanced In connection with
he sinking OF the Lusitania until re-
eipt OF an answer from the Ameri.
an government. feels impelled. in
to recall here and now
hat 1t took cognizance with satisfac-
lon OF the mediatory proposals sub
k~.