The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-06-04

out that the Lustania was one Of the
largest and fastest British merchant
ships, built with Government funds as
an auxiliary cruiser, and carried ex-
pressly as such in the navy list is
sued by the British Admiralty.
II is further known 10 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
i'm serving guns. The Lusitania, too,
according 10 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 Government
to the fact that the British Admiralty,
i'm confidential instruction, issued in
! February 1915, recommended its mer-
camille shipping not only to seek pro
! lection under neutral flags and dis
| tinguishing marks but also, while
/ thu dioruiocd ~ ottaoi Coru'"o ""h-
marines by ramming AS "A special In
citation 10 merchantmen 10 uea,roy
submarines. the British Government
also offered high prizes and has al
ready paid such rewards.
The 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 'undefended."
| German commanders consequently are
no longer able to observe the Gus
| tomary regulations OF the prize law,
which they before always followed.
Finally the Imperial Government
must point out particularly that the
! Lusitana on it's last trip, as on earlier
! occasions, carried Canadian troops
| and war material. including no less
/ than 5,400 cases OF ammunition intend
ed for the destruction Of the brave
German soldiers who are fulfilling
their duty with self-sacrifice and de-
votion in the fatherland's service.
The German Government believes
that il was acting in justified self
defense in seeking with all the means
OF warfare at it's disposition TO pro
tect the lives of its 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
deliberately to use the lives Of Ameri-
can citizens as protection for the am
munition aboard and acted against the
clear provisions of the American law,
which expressly prohibits the forward
ing Of passengers on ships carrying
ammunition. and provides a penalty
therefor. The company, Therefore. is
wantonly guilty of the death OF so
many passengers.
There can he no doubt according to
the definite report Of the submarines
Commander, which is further con
! frmed by all other information. that
the quick sinking of the Lusitania is
primarily attributable to the explosion
OF the ammunition shipment caused
| by a torpedo. The Lusitania's pas
sengers would otherwise, in all hui
man probability, have been saved
The Imperial Government considers
the aforementioned facts important
enough to recommend them to the at
tentive examination OF the American
Government
The Imperial Government. while
Withholding its final decision OH the
demands advanced in connection with
| the sinking of the Lusitania until re.
/ ceipt of an answer from the American
Government feels impelled. in conclu.
! sion TO recall here and now that il
| took cognizance with satisfaction OF
/ the mediatory proposals submitted by
| the United States Government to Ber-
/ lin and London as basis for n modus
vivendi for conducting the maritime
warfare between Germany and Great
/ Britain.
The Imperial Government. by it's
readiness 10 enter upon a discussion
OF these proposals, then demonstrated
its good intentions in ample fashion
The realization of these proposals was
defeated, as is well known. by the
declinatory attitude OF the British
Government.
The undersigned takes occasion, ct
cetera.
r.nnu-