The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1915-06-03

/ had cannon aboard which were mount
ed and concealed below decks. II
direct the particular attention OF tn,
American government to the fact tina
the British admiralty. in confidential
! instruction issued in February. 1915
recommended it's mercantile shipping
not only to seek protection under neu
trail flags and distinguishing marks
but also while thus disguised, to attack
/ German submarines by ramming. As
a special mediation to merchantmen ia
destroy submarines, the British gov.
eminent also offered high prizes and
has already paid such rewards.
Says Liner Carried War Material.
The imperial government in view
Of these facts individually known to it,
is unable to regard British merchant.
men in the zone of naval operations
specified by the admiralty stan Of the
German navy as undefended.' German
commanders consequently are no
longer able to observe the customary
regulations of the prize law, which
they before always followed.
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
5.400 cases of ammunition intended
for the destruction of brave German
soldiers who are fulfilling thek duty
with self-sacrifice and devotion in the
fatherland's service.
THE German government believes
1t was acting in justified self-defense
In seeking with all the means of war
fare at its disposition to protect the
lives of its soldiers by destroying am
munition for the enemy.
Puts Blame on Ship Owners.
THE British shipping company must
have been aware of the danger to
which the passengers aboard the Lusi-
tania were exposed under these condi-
tions. The company in embarking
them, notwithstanding this. attempted
deliberately to use the lives of Ameri-
can citizens as protection for ammu-
milton aboard and acted against the
clear provisions of the American law,
which expressly prohibits the forward
ing of passengers on ships carrying
and provides a penalty
therefor. The company therefore is
guilty of the 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 information, that the
quick sinking of the Lusitania is pri-
narily attributable to the explosion of
he ammunition shipment caused by a
orpedo. The Lusitania's passengers
would otherwise. in all human prob.
bility, have been saved.
THE imperial government considers
he above mentioned facts important
nough to recommend them to the at
entive examination of the American
government.
Withhoids Final Decision.
AAS A"pSitui 6ON Willie 1
its final decision on the
emands advanced in connection with
he sinking of the Lusitania until re-
eipt of an answer from the American
overnment, feels impelled, in conclu- ,
ion. to recall here and now that it
'ok cognizance with satisfaction of hi
he mediatory proposals submitted by 5
Re United States government to Ber-
n and London as a basis for modus ,
vendi for conducting the maritime
arfare between Germany and Great ,
ritain. The imperial government by
s readiness to enter upon discus
on of these proposals, then demon
rated its good intentions in ample
shion. The realization of these pro-
'sals was defeated, as is we'll known,
I the declinatory attitude of the Brit
h government. a
THE undersigned takes occasion, t
C. JAGOW." e