LUSITANIA.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2732, 1 June 1915, Page 4

LUSITANIA.

GERMANY'S NOTE TO AMERICA. THE BIG STEAMER'S CHARACTER. • ( Amsterdam, May 30. j Germany's Note to America says ' that the Lusitania was a big auxiliary oruiser. Trustworthy reports from German officials and neutral passengers had shown that she had guns concealed under her deck, and carried trained gunners. The British Admiralty, last February, had advised mercluMitment to ram submarines; therefore the former were not undefended. German commanders could no longer observe the rules concerning naval prizes. Tho Note also contends that the Lustam'a, carried Canadian troops and war material. Germany was justified in destroying the enemy's munitions in order to protect her own soldiers. The- Lusitania acted against tho American law forbidding passengers to travel in "ships carrying explosives, tho explosion of which was the principal cause of the sinking of the vessel. Under other circumstances the passengers would probably have been saved. Germany, therefore, reserves: her fiual declaration until America has carefully studied the foregoing facts. Germany promises to investigate the Gulf Ifight and dishing cases, which may bo supplemented by an International Commisison in accordance with the Hague Convention. In the case of- the Falaba, 23 minutes elapsed before the torpedo was fired, and this was after the Falaba had tried to elude capture and suspicious vessels were seen approaching.