Item 59: Internment camp diary, November 1917-August 1918 - Page 112

<p>[Page 112]</p><p>Stedd&#39;s review 25th/1/19 [Original in English]</p><p>The reason why the Germans were particularly bitter against the Lusitania was because, in order to secure immunity from submarines whilst passing through the blockade area, she flew the American flag. When the Government at Washington protested, the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs explained that she had done so to ensure her safety. The Germans in their special warning advertisements, published side by side with the announcements of the sailing of the Lusitania expressly emphasised the fact that in the danger zone, owing to the &quot;misuse&quot; of neutral flags ordered by the British Government, the flying of neutral flags would not give protection from submarines. At Lord Mersey&#39;s inquiry it was established that the vessel carried:</p>