The text of the latest German Reply to the United
States about the Lusita.nia ' was printed in the papers of Monday. It is an astonishing document, which blows a cloud of ink and evades all the direct American questions. Not one of the assurances which President Wilson has twice demanded is granted, but there is some " eye- waBli " about German satis- faction at the concern of the United States for the mainte- nance of humane principles—a concern which "finds a ready echo" in Germany. After repeating the casuistry that sub- marine warfare was forced on Germany by Britain, and that the blame for loss of life belongs to Britain, the Reply goes on to make the amazing statement that it was expected that the 'Lusi- tania ' would stay afloat long enough for the passengers to be rescued, but that this expectation was defeated by the presence of ammunition on board the ship. Then follows an offer : German submarines will be instructed to let American passenger ships pass in safety if they are clearly marked and their sailing has been notified in advance. Moreover, a certain number of neutral ships may fly the American flag and be safeguarded under the same conditions. In other words, the United States is asked to become an accomplice in German submarine warfare.
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