The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-31

that the Lusitania could be regarded
las an ordinary unarmed merchant
man. The imperial government al
lows itself in this connection to point
out that the Lusitania was one OF the
largest and fastest British merchant
ships, built with government funds
las an auxiliary cruiser, and carried
expressly as such in the navy list,
Issued by the British admiralty.
'Tt is further known to the imper-
ial government, from trustworthy re-
ports from its agents and neutral pas
Esengers, that for considerable tins
practically all the more valuable Brit.
lish merchantmen have been equipped
with cannon and ammunition, ano
other weapons, and manned with per.
sons who have been specially tralneo
in serving guns. The Lnsitan1a, TOO.
according to information received
here, had cannon aboard, which were
mounted and concealed below decks.
"The imperial government. furtnsr'
has the honor to direct the particular
attention Of the American government
to the fact that the British admiralty
L in q confidential instruction, issued
In February, 1915, recommended lts
mercantile shipping not only to seek
protection under neutral flags and dls'
tinguishing marks, but also, whlie
thus disguised, to attack German SUD
marines by ramming. AS special IN
citation to merchantmen to destroy
submarines. the British government
also offered high prizes and has al
ready paid such rewards.
The imperial government. In vie"
Of these facts, idubitaely known to 1t,
| Ia unable to regard British merchant
men in the zone Of naval operations
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.
| "s1naIiy, the imperial government
must point out particularly that the
Iusitania on its last trip. as on earl
Ter occasions, carried Canadian troops
and war material. including no less
than 5,40O cases of ammunition In
tended for the destruction OF the
brave German soldiers who are fui'
filling their duty with self sacrif1ces
and devotion in the fatherland's serv'
Ice.
THE German government believes
that it was acting in justified self-de'
Tense in seeking with all the means
of warfare at it's disposition to pro.
ltect the lives of it's soldiers by de-
stroying ammunition intended for the
enemy.
THE British Shipping company
must have been aware Of the danger
oh0nrd the
T .usitania were exposed under these
conditions. The company in embark.
ling them, Notwithstanding this. at
tempted deliberately to use the lives
LOT American citizens as protection for
1.-THE ammunition aboard and acted
iagainst the clear provisions Of the
American law, which expressly prohib
Its the forwarding of passengers on
ships carrying ammunition, and pro
vides a penalty therefor.
"The company. therefore, is wan
tonly guilty of the death Of so many
passengers.
"There can be no doubt, according
to the definite report Of the submar.
ines commander, which Is further
confirmed by all other information
that the quick sinking OF the Lusi
tanla Is primarily dIIlooCdpie " luz
explosion Of the ammunition ship
iment, caused by a torpedo. The Lus'
ltania'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 at
ltentive examination of the American
government.
THE imperial government, while
Withholding its final decision on the
demands advanced in connection with
the sinking of the Luistania until re
ceipt Of an answer from the Ameri
can government, feels impelled. In
conclusion. to recall here and now
that it took cognizance with satisfac
ton OF the mediatory proposals sub