Connecticut western news., 1915-06-03

nia when she left New York had guns aboard, which were mounted under leck and masked.
 The imperial government further more has the honor to direct the par ticular attention of the American gov ernment tu the fact that the British admiralty by secret instructions in February of this year advised the Brit ish merchant marine not only to seek projection behind neutral flags and markings. but even when so disguised to attack German submarines by ram ming.
 High rewards were offered by tlIe British government as a special incen- tive for the destruction of submarines by merchant vessels, and such rewards already have been paid. In view of these facts. which are satisfactorily known to the imperial government. it is unable to consider British merchant vessels any longer 'undefended terri tory in the zone of war designated by the admiralty and staff of the imperial German navy. German commanders consequently are no longer in the posi- llOIl lO b5ClNC thC lulN6 VI I3Slll VI capture. with which they invariably complied before this.
 Munitions to Kill Germans.
 Lastly. the imperial government must specially 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 5,400 cases of ammunition destined for the destruction of brave German soldiers who are fulfilling with self sacrifice and devotion their duty to the fatherland.
 '"The German government believes it acts in just self defense when it's sol dicrS, with the means of war at their command, destroy ammunition destined for the enemy. English steamship ! companies must have been aware Of the dangers to which passengers aboard the Lusitania were exposed in the circumstances. In taking them aboard in spite of this the company deliberately tried to use the lives of American citizens as protection for the ammunition carried and violated the clear provisions of American laws, which expressly prohibit and provide punishment for carrying passengers on ships which have explosives aboard.
 '"The company thereby wantOnly | caused the death of so many pas Sengers. According to the express re port of the submarine commander con rerned, which is also confirmed by al' Nthnr fhopo hn m 1nI1INt that the ranid sinking of. the Lusitanin was primarily due to an explosion of her cargo of ammunition caused hy 2 torpedo. Otherwise there was all hu. | man possibility that the passengers would have been saved.
 "The imperial government holds the facts recited to be of sufficient impOr- | tance to recommend them to careful examination by the American govern ment. The imperial government begs to reserve final statements of it's posi- tiCn with regard to the demands made | in connection with the sinking of tine
 Lusitania until reply is received iron | the American government and believes ! it should recall here that it took note
 with satisfaction of the proposals O1 l good offices submitted by the Ameri
 can government to Berlin and London
 with a view of paving the way fol
 conduct of the maritime war between
 Germany and Great Britain.
 "The imperial government furnished 1 at that time ample evidence of it's gOO(
 will by it's willingness to consider
 these proposals. The realization ot
 these proposals failed on account O.
 their rejection by Great Britain"