The Tulsa star. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1913-1921, 1915-06-05

marine had tho intention Of allowing tns
passengers and crew q full opportunity
for a safe escape. only when the mas
ter did not obey the order TO hea-e To,
but He'd and summoned neip by rocket
signals. md tho German commander oroeT
the crew and passengers BY signals and
mega phoues to leave the ship within ten
minutes. lie actually allowed them
twenty three minutes time and fired the
torpedo only when suspicious craft were
fastening to the assistance Of the Falaba.
Regarding the loss OF life by the sirk-
ing OF the British passenger steamer
Lusitania, the German government mas
already expressed to the neutral govern
ments concerned It's keen regret that Ciii-
zens OF their states lost their lives.
Justified In Sinking Liner.
"On this occasion the imperial goveia-
mcnt, however, cannot escape the hp-
preston that certain important facts
having a decided bearing on the sinking
~ the busitania may have escaped ths
attention OF the American government
"ln the interest of clear and com
plcte understanding, which the aim OF
both governments the imperial govern
mcnt considers 1t first necessary TO con-
vince itself that the Information accr--
sihle to both governments about the facts
OF the ease Is complete aud IN accord
The government of the United states
proceeds on the assumption that tho
Lusitluia could be regarded as an ordi-
nary unarmed merchantmen The i'm.
pcrial government allows itself in this
connection tu Toint out that the Lusi-
tanh was one of the largest and fastest
British merchant ships. built with riV-
vrumcHt funds as an auxiliary cruiser
and carried expressly as such In the
navy list" issued by the British admir-
atty
IT Is further known to the imperial
government from trustworthy reports
from its agents aud neutral passengers
thHt for u considerable time all the more
equipped with cannon and ammunition
and other weapons ana manned with
persons who have been specially trained
In serving guns The Lusitania, too. ac-
rurdiuF to information received here. nad
cannon aboard which was mounted and
concealed below decks
THE imperial government further has
the honor tu direct the particular at
tcutinn of the American government; to
the fact that the British admiralty. In
a confidential instruction issued IN Feb
ruarN. 1918. recommended It's mercantile
shipping not only tu seek protection uu-
der neutrality hags and distinguishing
marks. hut also white thus disguised to
attack German submarine ny rammng
As special iucitattuu to merchantmen
to destroy submarines the British gov
ctumcnt ais" offered high ptizns and has
already paid such rewards
The impcrnl government. In view
ot these facts mduhitahlN known to It,
Is unable Ia regard british mrrchsHtneu
~ the zone NJ naval operations gpt Gifted
Toy the admiralty stan of the German
navy as 'undetcnded German o1ui-
maudvrs consequently are M longer allu
to observe the CUsourary regulations u:
the prize laws Which they before always
followed.
Finally the imperial government must
point out particularly that the LuS'tania
on It's last trip, as nn raitcr occasions,
carried Canadian troops and war ms
tvrEti, Including me- less than $500 caScS
tlUn OF the brave German soldiers VINO
are fulflliug their duty with self sacri-
fees and devotion In tho tathctland's 8
services
The German government believes that
II was acting IN Justified self defense In
seeking with an the means IT warfare AT
Its disposition to prntect Ia" lives o, ITS
soldiers 10y DESTROYING ammunition iu-
tended fur the enemy.
Censure Ship Owners
The British shipping company must
have been aware Of the danger Ia which
passengers aboard the lusitania were
exposed under these conditions The
company In emharking them. however
attempted deliberately To use the lives
OF American citizens ~ protection for
the ammunition aud against the clear
provisions uf the American law which rX
pressly prohibits the forwarding or pas
sengers ON ships carrying ammunition and
provides a penalty therefor The com.
tany therefore IL wantoniy guilty Of the
death ot 50 many passengers.
There can he me- doubt, according Il,
the definite report of the submarine 5
commander. which ~ rurtheT confirmed
hy all other Information. tnat the uuIck
sinking Of the Iusiianin IN primarily at
trihutahle Ia the explosion NJ the aninu.
milton shipment "aus-o nv torpedo.
The l.usitauia's passengers would other
wise In all human probability. hav. been
saved
The Imperial government considers the
ahuVe mcntiuncd facts important enough
to recommend them Ia the attentive eN
animation ~ the American government
THE Imperial government. while with
holding It's nnni derisinn on the demands
advanced IN connection with the sinking
1f the l.usitanin until receipt nr an an
swer from the American government
fcclS inpelled in conclusion 10 recall
here aud nuw. that n took cncniIanca
with satisfaction ~ tho mediatnrv prn.
posals submitted nv the t'uitad state.
rnvcrumsnt To Rerlin and London Ms .
basis for rnodus vivendi for couduc Ting
the maritime warfare bctween Germany
and Great Britain. The imporint COVERS
ment by It's readiness io .nter upon E.
discussion of these prnnnsns then dem
oustrited It's good ini"ntious In ampl,
fashion The realization 81 these prn
posais was defeated Rs is well known
by the declinato'y attitude Of the British
government
THE Undersigned takes occasinn. ctr
tSicn"dl "lAGOW