Milford chronicle., 1915-06-04

guns aboard, which were mounted un.
der neck and masked.
THE imperial government further
more has the honor to direct the par
ticular attention Of the American gov.
ernment to the fact that the British
admiralty, by secret instructions in
February of this year, advised the
British merchantmen not only to seek
protection behind neutral flags and
markings, but even when so disguised
to attack German submarines by ram
ming.
High rewards were offered by the
British government as a special in
centive for the destruction of subma.
rines by merchant vessels, and such
rewards already have been paid. In
view of these facts, which are salts.
/ factOrily known to the imperial gov
ernment, it is unable to consider Brit
ish vessels any longer 'undefended
territory IN the zone of war and time
Of war designated by the admiralty
and stan OF the imperial German navy
German commanders consequently are
no longer in the position to observe
the rules Of right of capture other
wise usual and with which they in
variably complied before this. Lastly
the imperial government must spe.
clally point out that on her last trip
the Lusitania, as on earlier occasions, /
had Canadian troops and munitions OF (
war aboard, including no less than I
54O0 cases OF ammunition destined for /
the deseruction of brave German sol |
diers who are fulfilling with self-sacri. 1
tce and devotion their duty to the
fatherland.
"rhe German government believes
1t acts in Just self-defense when its
soldiers destroy ammunition destined
for the enemy with the means of war
at its command. English steamship
companies must have been aware OF
the dangers TO which passengers on F.
board the Lusitania were exposed un-
der the circumstances. In taking them
aboard in spite of this, the company
quite deliberately tried to use the
lives of American citizens as protec
tiOn for the ammunition carried, and
violated the clear provisions of Amer
lean laws which expressly prohibit
and provide punishment for carrying ;
passengers on ships which have eX-
ploslves aboard. The company thereby I
wantonly caused the death OF so many !
passengers.
According to the express report OF
the submarine commander concerned, :
which Is only confirmed by all other
reports, there can be no doubt that j
the rapid sinking of the Lusitania was I
due to an explosion of her
cargo OF ammunition caused by a tor b
pedo. OtherWlse there was all human
possibility that the passengers would
have been saved. I
Inc imperial government mold the
acts recited to be of sufficient i'm n
lortance to recommend them to care
iul examination by the American gov h
The imperial government :
pegs to reserve final statements of its Il
position with regard to the demands
n connection with the sinking of the b
4usitania until reply is received
rom the American government, and t,
believes It should recall here that ii h
oOk note with satisfaction of the pro n
losals of good Offices submitted by the "
american government to Berlin and L.
london with view of paving the way y
or conduct of the maritime war be- b
ween Germany and Great Britain.
ne imperial government furnished is
ood Will by its willingness to con.
lder these proposals. The realization =,
these proposals failed on account re
their rejection by Great Britain"