London, Jan. 5.
A White Paper issued contains a memorandum from the German Government demanding the trial for murder of the Captain and crew of the British auxiliary-cruiser Baralong.
The German memorandum quotes sworn statements made by six American muleteers who were on board the British str.
Nicosian (6,389 tons).
The Americans allege that on Augst 19, seventy miles south of Queenstown, they were stopped by 4 German submarine, which opened fire on the Nicosian after the crew had been removed. They noticed a steamer, which they say was the Baralong {4,192 tons), approaching flying the American flag and' with large shields on her sides on which the American flag was painted. This vessel fired rifles and guns on the submarine until she sank, when the German crew jumped ' into the water.
The German crew also gives allegations made by these witnesses that the Baralong continued fire on the Germans in the water. They say that two of the witnesses swear that orders were given to take no prisoners, and, further, that four Germans found on board the Nicosian in the.engine-room and rew-tunnel were killed.
Sir Edward Grey makes " crushing reply. Affirming that the British Government does not accept these allegations, he points out that Great Britain notes with great satisfaction—though with some surprise—the anxiety of Germany that the principles of: civilized warfare should be vindicated.
Sir Edward Grey asks "Why single out the Baralong case!" and suggests that this, together with three naval incidents " occurring within the same forty-eight hours when the Barafong sank the German submarine and rescued the Nicos shall be submitted to an impo: tribunal, for example one composed of United States naval officers: firstly, the incident of the Arabic and the murder of forty-even non-combatants: secondly, a German destroyer bombarding the helpless crew of a British submarine stranded on the coast of Denmark: thirdly, the str. Mel (4,080 tons) which was attacked by German submarine and, though resistance was offered, had its boats fired on, one man being killed ud eight severely wounded with no rosen for cold-blooded and comardiy outrage.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.