The Ely miner., 1915-06-04
GERMANY REPLIES To AMERICAN NOTE
REGARDING SINKING Of THE LUS|TAN|A
Berlin Government Declares Does Not Intend to Submit Neutral
Ships to Submarine Attacks Alleges Cunard Liner Was
Armed -Withhods Final Decision

guns. The Lusitania, too, according
to information received here, had can
non aboard, which were mounted and
concealed below decks.
"The Imperial government further
has the honor 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 it's mer-
camille shipping not only to seek pro-
lection under neutral flags ard dis
tinguishing marks, but also while thus
disguised to attack German subma-
rines by ramming. AS special Incl
tation to merchantmen to destroy sub
marines, the British government also
offered high prizes and has already
paid such rewards.
'~rhe Imperial government in view
Of these facts indubitably known to
it, Is unable to regard British mer-
chantmen in the zone of naval opera
tions specified by the admiralty staff
of the German navy as 'undetended.'
German commanders consequently are
no longer able to observe the custo-
mary regulations of the prize law
which they before always followed.
Canadian Troops Abroad?
Finally, the Imperial government
must point out particularly that the
Lusitania, on its last trip as on earlier
occasions, carried Canadian troops
and war material, including no less
than dn0 nocoo of opoynunitiOp n int on Il :.
ed for the destruction of the brave
German soldiers who are fulfilling
their duty with self sacrifices and de-
yotion in the fatherland's service.
The German government believes
that it was acting in justified self-de
fense in seeking with all the means
of warfare at it's disposition to pro-
tect the lives OF it's soldiers by de-
stroying ammunition intended for the
enemy.
The British shipping company must
have been aware of the danger to
which the passengers aboard the Lusi-
tania were exposed under these con-
ditions. The company In embarking
them, Notwithstanding this, attempted
can citizens as protection for the am.
munition aboard and acted against
the clear provisions of the American
law, which expressly prohibits the for
warding of passengers on ships carry
ing ammunition, and provides pen
atty therefor. The company, there
fore, is wantonly guilty of the death
of so many passengers.
Claims Ammunition Exploded.
There can be no doubt, according
to the definite report of the subma-
rine'3 commander, which is further
confirmed by all other information that
the quick sinking of tho Lusitania is
primarily attributable to the explosion
of the ammunition shipment caused
by torpedo. The Lusitania's S passen.
gers would otherwise in all human
probability have been saved.
'The Imperial government consid-
ers the above mentioned factors i'm
portant enough to recommend them
to the attentive examination of the
American government.
WithhoIds Final Dieision.
THE imperial government, while
Withholding its final decision on the
demands advanced in connection with
| the sinking of the Lusitania until the
receipt of an answer from the Ameri.
can government, feels impelled in con.
clusion to recall here and now, that
| it took cognizance with satisfaction OF
the mediatory proposals submitted by
| the United States government to Ber
| lin and London as basis for modus
| vivendi for conducting the maritime
warfare between Germany and Great
Britain. The Imperial government, by
its readiness to enter upon a discus
sion of these proposals, then demon
| strated it's good intentions in ample
| fashion. The realization of these FRO
posals was defeated, as is well known
| by the declinatory attitude of the Brit
ish government.
"The undersigned takes occasion
| etc.