Germany Justifies the Deed
[It should be borne in mind that the subjoined official and semi-official out-givings on behalf of Germany, announcing the destruction of the Lusitania, justifying it, striving to implicate the British Government, and to some extent modifying the original war zone proclamation of Feb. 18, 1915, were published prior to the receipt by the German Imperial Government of President Wilson's note of May 13. British official rejoinders and a statement by the Collector of the Port of New York are included under this head.—Editor.]
GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT.
BERLIN, May 8, (via wireless to London Sunday, May 9.)—The following official communication was issued tonight:
The Cunard liner Lusitania was yesterday torpedoed by a German submarine and sank.
The Lusitania was naturally armed with guns, as were recently most of the English mercantile steamers. Moreover, as is well known here, she had large quantities of war material in her cargo.
Her owners, therefore, knew to what danger the passengers were exposed. They alone bear all the responsibility for what has happened.
Germany, on her part, left nothing undone to repeatedly and strongly warn them. The Imperial Ambassador in Washington even went so far as to make a public warning, so as to draw attention to this danger. The English press sneered at the warning and relied on the protection of the British fleet to safeguard Atlantic traffic.
BRITAIN'S DENIAL.
LONDON, May 8.—The British Government today made the following announcement: