The Dermott news., 1915-06-03

Lusitania was one of tho largest and fastest British merchant ships, built with government funds as an auxiliary cruiser and carried expressly as such in the Navy List issued by the British admiralty.
 "lt is further known to the imperial government. from trustworthy reports from its agents and neutral passen- gers, that for considera ble time prac- tically all the more valuable British merchantmen have been equipped with cannon and ammunition, and other weapons. and manned with persons who have been specially trained in serving guns. The Lusitania, too, according to information received here had cannon aboard, which were mounted and con Cealed below decks.
 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 a confidential instruc ton issued in February. 1915, recommended it's mercantile shipping not only to seek protection under neutral flags and dis- ttnGuishiuE marks. but also while thus disguised. to attack German suhma- rines by ramminG. AS u special incl tatiun to merchantmen to destroy sub marines, the British government also offered high prizes and has already paid such rewards,
 The imperial government. in view of these facts. induhitahIY known to it. ts unable to regard British merchantmen in the zone of naval operations spcct- ttd by the admiralty staff of the Ger man navy as 'undefendcd.' German commanders consequently are no long ar able to observe the customary reEu- latiuus 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 ,ra ..T. 44f |. 5.40o cases of ammunition intended for the destruction of the brave German soldiers who are fulfilling their duty with self sacrifice and devotion in the fathcrlands service
 "rhe German government believes if was acting in Justified seIf- defense in seeking with all the means of war fare at It's disposition to protect the lives of is soldiers hy destroying am muuttlop intended fer the enemy.
 The British shipping company must have been aware of the danger tu which the passengers aboard the I.u= sitaui7 were exposed under theso com ditIons The company in eraharl, Ing them, netWithstauding this. attempted deliberately to Use the lives of Amer lean citizens as protection for thc am- muui'ion aboard and acted against the clear provisions of the American law which expressly prohibits the forward ing uf passengers on ships carrying ammunition and provides il penalty therefor The company. therefore. ia wautouN eailty of the death of SO many passengers
 "fhcre can be no doubt. according "a the definite report of the submarines commander which Is further confirm ed by all other information. that the quick sinking of the IuSitRuta ts pri- martlN attrihutahlc to the explosion of the 1Hmuuttiou shipment caused by q torpedo. The Luyttania passengers would otherwise. in all human proba- hilfV. have been s=etrd
 "'Fh" imperial government considers the above e=mcutiouca facts important enough te recommend them to the at- tentiNe examination v the American hnal decision on the demands advanced ln connection W}th the sinking of the l.usjtanl1 uuttl receipt of an answer From the American government. tc"3s n9W that II took co.otZ9uCr with sat lstaN'Ion of the mediaforv proposals submitted by the United States 4ovcru- ment to Berlin and London #3s#a #ha~ls for nlodus Yivondi far rouduefIu. the maritime warfare Germany and Great Britain
 &fhe imperial government. hs tts readIue~+ te enter upon e Hi=eue~tau at these proposals. thcn detgaH=trata3 its good intentions fn owpf. fs-hIvu# The realization of these propo=a1. was. defeated, as Is well known he#tf,. ,lc= cliuatory attitude of the Brush gov sruutuf.
 "The undersigned takes this occa- St"n, etc. LOGON