Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-06-04

summoned help by rocket signals, did
| 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
fred 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
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 Amert-
| can government
I'm the interest of clear and com
plete understanding, which is the aim
/ Of both governments, the imperial
/ government considers it 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
i rfGn nXnVaGofu o.. d. -
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 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 specia
mediation to merchantmen to destroy
: submarines the British government
also offered prizes and has already
r paid such rewards.
ftrrho toll
OF these facts Individually known to 1t
' is unable to regard British merchant
men In the zone OF naval operations
: specified by the admiralty star of tn,
! German navy as 'undefended' German
commanders consequently are n:
longer able to observe the CUSTOMARY
: regulations OF the prize law, which
i they before always followed.
; Carried Ammunition.
/ Finally, the imperial government
n must point out particularly that thu
q Lusitania on its last trip, as on earle
4 occasions, carried Canadian troops an,
! war material, including no less thar
5,4OO cases of ammunition, intendet
Tor the destruction OF the brave Ger
man soldiers who are fulfilling thei
9 duty with self-sacrifices and devotion
in the fatherland's service.
0 The German government believe
l. that 1t was acting in justified sell
a defense in seeking with all the mean
o Of warfare at its disposition to pre-
n tect the lives Of its soldiers by dc
stroying ammunition intended for tn
, enemy.
9 5lames ship Company.
h The British shipping compan
must have been aware Of the DANCE
k to which the passengers aboard tn
5 Lusltania were exposed under thes
y conditions. The company in embark
n ing them, notwithstanding this, a
% tempted deliberately to use the live
n OF American citizens as protection 70
70 the ammunition aboard and acte
b. against the clear provisions OF tn
a. American law, which expressly prohil
1t its the forwarding of passengers D
n ships carrying ammunition and DR.
Is vtdes a penalty therefor. The con
Of pany therefore, is wantonly guilty .
D. the death OF SO many passengers.
N There can be no doubt, accordin
Te to the definite report of the subm
IL rlne's commander, which is furthe
8. confirmed by all other information
that the quick sinking of the LUIS
20 tan1a is primarily attributable to I'll
n explosion Of the ammunition shipmei
30 caused by torpedo. The Lusitania
Iy passengers would otherwise, in all h
i man probability. have been saved.
n, The imperial government consi
ers the above mentioned facts fmpor
10 ant enough to recommend them
. the attentive examination of the Anne
n, m lean government.
" No Final Decision.
D. The imperial government. viii
1y Withholding its final decision on Il
Is demands advanced in connection vii
te the sinking of the Lusitania until +
II. ceipt of an answer from the Amer
can government, feels impelled.
he conclusion, to recall here and no
ne that 1t took cognizance with satisfa
tn ton Of the mediatory proposals su
Of mitted by the United States COVER
al ment to Berlin and London as a bas
al for modus vivendi for conductil
IT the maritime warfare between &c
IN many and Great Britain. The INN
as rial government by its readiness
ne enter upon a discussion of these mr.
posals then demonstrated its good
er tentions in ample fashion The rea
sr. cation OF these proposals was defeate
of as is well known, by the declinato
a attitude of the British government
,e. The undersigned takes occasio
az, ETC." JAGo SOW y