The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-02

the Falaba.
Regarding the loss of life bv the
sinking Of the British passenger
steamer Lusitania, the German gov.
ernment has already expressed to the
neutral governments concerned its
Keen regret that citizens of their
States lost their lives.
"On this occasion the imperial
government, however, can not escape
lacts having direct bearing on the
sinking of the Lusitania may have
escaped the attention of the American
government. =: .r.trt'-
In the interest Of a clear and COM
plete understanding, which is the aim
or both governments, the impeial
German government considers it first
necessary to convince itself that tba
information accessible to both govern
mehts about the facts of the case Is
complete and in accord, The govern
ment of the United States proceeds on
the assumption that the Lusitinia
could be regarded as an ordinary un-
armed merchantmen. The imperiar
government allows itself in this con-
nection to point out that the Iiusitaina
was one of the largest British naer
chant ships, built with government
FUNDS as an auxiliary cruiser and car.
raed expressly as such in the navy
list issued by 1the British admiralty.
1H"It is further known to the impe-
fmat government from trustworthy
reports from It's agents and neutral
passengers, that for n considerable
time practically ALI the more valuable
British merchantmen have been
equipped with cannon and ammuni-
ton and other weapons and manned
with persons who have been specially
trained in serving guns The Lusi-
tania, too, according to information
received here. had cannon aboard.
which were mounted and concealed
fbelow decks. 49,
1.-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 instructions
ISSUED in February. 1915, recommend
ed its mercantile shipping not only
to seek protection under neutral flags,
but also, while disguised to attack
German submarines by ramming. AS
a special incitation to merchantmen
to destroy submarines the British gov
ernment also offered high prizes and
has already paid such rewards
THE imperial government, in view
of these facts individually known to
It, is unable to regard British mer-
chantmen in the zone of naval op-
erations specified by the admiralty
staff of the German navy as 'unde-
fended.' 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 5,4OO cases OF ammunit' On in
tended for the destruction Of the
brave German soldiers who are full
filling their duty with self-sacrifice
and devotion in the fatherland's ser
vice
"The German government believes
in seeking with all the means of war
fare at it's disposition to protect the
lives OF it's soldiers by destroying am
; munition intended for the enemy.
"The British shipping company
must have been aware of the danger
| to which the passengers aboard tht
], Lusitania were exposed under these
conditions. The company in embark
ing them. Notwithstanding this, at
tempted deliberately to Us, the lives
= of American citizens as protection for
the ammunition aboard and acte j
against the clear provisions of the
: American law which expressly pro
hibtS the forwarding Of passengers
| on ships carving ammunition and
| provides II penalty therefor. TIL,
. company. therefore, is wantonll
y guilty of the death of so many pas
l Sengcrs.
i There can be no doubt, accord
e ing to the definite report of the sub
II marines commanders. which is fur
\ ~
Il their confirmed by all other informa