Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-06-11

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 carried express
ly as such in the navy list" issued
by the British admiralty.
It 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 especially trained
In serving guns. The Lusitania, too.
according to Information received
here had cannon aboard, which were
mounted and concealed below deck.
The imperial government further
has the honor to direct the particular
attention Of the American government
to the fact that the British admiralty,
in confidential instruction issued in
February, 1915, recommended Its mer-
camille shipping not only to seek pro-
lection under neutral flags and distin-
BulSuiIS mdThSy uut dioo, "hhC 'h'S
disguised, to attack German subma-
rines by ramming.
AS a special incitation to merchant
ment to destroy submarines the Brit
ish government also offered high
prizes and has already paid such re-
wards.
The imperial government, In view
of these facts, indubitably known to
1t, is unable to regard British mer-
chantmen in the zone of naval oper-
ations specified by the admiralty
staff of the German navy as "unde-
Tended" German commanders con.
sequently are no longer able to OBJ
serve the customary regulations OF
the prize law, which they before al
ways 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 In
tended for the destruction Of the
brave German soldiers who are full
filling their duty with self-sacrifices
and devotion in the fatherland's serv-
ice.
The German government believes
that 1t was acting in Justified self-de-
|
of warfare at its disposal to protect
the lives of its soldiers by destroying
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 de-
liberately to use the lives Of Ameri-
can citizens as protection for the
ammunition aboard and acted against
the clear provisions of the American
law. which expressly prohibits the
forwarding Of passengers on ships
carrying ammunition, and provides a
penalty therefor. The company. there
fore. is wantonly guilty of the death
OF SO many passengers.
There can be no doubt, according
to the definite report OF the sub
marines commander. which is furth-
er confirmed by all other informa-
ton, that the quick sinking of the
Lusitania is primarily attributable to
the explosion OF the ammunition ship
ment caused by torpedo. The Lusi.
tania's passengers would otherwise,
In all human probability, have been
saved.
The imperial government considers
the above mentioned facts important
enough to recommend them to the ac.
tive examination of the American
government
The imperial government, while
Withholding its final decision Of the
demands advanced in connection with
the sinking Of the Lusitania until re-
ceipt Of an answer from the American
government. feels impelled, in con-
clusion, to recall. here and now. that
1t took cognizance with satisfaction of
the mediatory proposals submitted by
the United States government to Ber.
lin and London as basis for modus
vivendi for conducting the maritime
warfare between Germany and Great
Britaio. The imperial government, by
its readiness to enter upon a discus.
sion Of these proposals. then demons.
trated its good intentions in ample
fashion.
The realization of these proposals
was defeated. as is well known, by the
declinatory attitude of the British gov.
ernment.
(Signed) JAGOW.