SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 12 June 1915, Page 5

SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA

I GERMAN REFUTED. I OTHER- CONTENTIONS lEREtEVAN'T. ' AMERICA ASKS FOE- ASSURANCES. ' V : :v -, . ON, June 11. ••.Tiie.' American. Note to Germany.ji'Vr -ferring, to the Gushing; and Gul£ Light /cases,-..-notes-, thafcr Germany \vill. acknowledge and meet-liability where she •attaclcs heutral : ships which are JK>t guilty .of- -hostile acts, and . promises full •information relating to the Cushing., * "Regarding:; tjio • sinking of the 3?alaba, where, an. American : lost. his life, the United., States is surprised to. .find .Germany contending that, an efetion -tlie part of a merchantman to escape capture, ana secure assistance alters the obligation upon the officer seeking to make the capture in respect to the safety of the lives of those on aboard the merchantman, although the. vessel had ceased to attempt to, escape whew it was torpedoed. • ' - ' : • After quoting international law, the Note, states that the United States does not understand that Germany is seeking in this case to relieve itself of liability, but intends to set forth , the - circumstances which led the commander of the submarine to ; allow himself to be hurried in tho course taken. . . :

••<■ Regarding .the iLu.sitarila, the- contention of that tie liner was equipped; with, * masked .; guns and: supplied .-withtrained; gunners; and special ammunition, was "transporting Canadian troops and. carrying cargo; ■by! the! laws,of the? United, States to a ■vessel- carrying..'..,passengers, ,-<' and'.wjis serving in -virtual-effect;, as -an J auxiliary to the naval "forces of Great Britain, is refuted. 1 v.." ""' ■:£"'■ .i-': : "- : : :: ■ ■•-'■•■. ;"

< .The Imperial German . Government is inforiiied jfchat special . attention is paid to.-these niMters; ;t>y thel proper officials i of the and jf the ! Imperial -<Q6vc??uifent deeirs i_itself ; evide{ice | tKai -the' officials of the United /States j do not perform their duties thoroughly, I the American it will submit the evidenpe for'consideratiori. The contentions of the Imperial Germ?,ah regarding • the, carrying ■of contraband on Ahft are declared tp: be irrelevant to the question of the legality of, the methods used by thtf i.German naval authorities. Whatever. b® the facts regarding the sinking of . the iiusitania, the principal fact' remains that a great steamer primarily and chiefly for the conveyance; of passengers, and carryingsjrirore. than a-, thonsand; souls-;who had, no pflrt "'Ot.'lot in the conduct of tli'e' v?ar, ,dnd sunk; without warning',. and ' men; women,' and. children were sent ! to' their 2 death, in circumstances unparalleled ift modern Warfare. • It is upon the principle, .of humanity as ;.well''asUa#'^n^d.edl i iipoii; this principle that the 'United States must stand. -/The. Government, of the' United States looks.-to- see-the justice'"and .humanity--' -of - the 'Government of ' Germany vindicated in all, cases ' where Americans have, been wronged and their rights-asi '-The : of the war . zone is not admitted by the United States to affect .t-Hol-rights . of American '.ship"maate'rs and citizens as passengers bound upon lawful, errands.' * The 'Government, of the United States deems it reasonable to expect the Imperial Gertran Government, to adopt the measures-necessary: to put these . principles info - practice in- respect to'safeguarding American lives- and American ships* and asks for assurances that this will bo done. : NOTE MORE FRIENDLY THAN" EXPECTED; " '' , , (PtCCi' June 1-2, 8.45 a.m.)• . . .WASHINGTON, June 11. The Note is more friendly than expected. It reiterates the ■ previous' dezjiajjdf but. 'leaves room for a : frifend'iy reply. >• It has become known that Pyesident Wilson is not opposed to diplomatic discussion 1 , but insists on a guarantee . that American, lives will .not be jeopardised! .during the negotiations. The State Department, officials -take a sharp issue on. Mr Bryan's interpretation, and. declare that there are no grounds for stating that the Note will lead; to war- That contingency will only arise the attacks are. reputed. The consensus of. newspaper ' opinion , - .the velvet glove of conciliation is'the ironi hand of pur-_ pose.' r I SINKING- OF THE WILLI AM ' FRYE. WASHINGTON, June 11. ... t ". Germany's .rejfl'y to the American Wil|jajn, P, Frj-o declares :tllat the Treaty 'of 1799 expressly reserves the right to stop the carrying of contraband. Tfc follows that if £his cannot be effected in • wf-ay jt imist;-. ..Hy the' destruction of .the s ship,. --The Prize Court is only necessary to fix the compensation, and the owners of the , , William P. Ftye should enter a claim,