Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-29
BRITISH SUNK GERMAN
SHIP IN NEUTRAL WATERS
Official Statement Given Out in Ber-
lin Concerning Loss of
the Dresden.
REFERS TO ATTITUDE OF U. s.
Wants to Know What Course This
Government VIII Take in Face Of
Such Violation of South American
Republics Neutrality.

Berlin. March (by wireless to Say
Villo).-rhe German government to-
day Bavo out an official statement az
1irmtng TINT the German cruiser Drcs-
den. sunk OF. tho Chilean island OF Juan
rernandez. March IL. by British
SQUADRON. was destroyed In neutral
waters After condemning the British
government for the manner In which
tue German was attacked, the state
mcnt says that 1t will be interesting
10 see what attitude the United States
government Will adopt ain the face OF
such violation of the neutrality OF
South American republic" The text
| or the statement follows:
The National, London weekly. n
rev DAYS ago admitted that 1t was
German cruiser Dresden was carried
out In conformity with tho usages of
war. Ihe expression doubtful Is 4
rare avowal for n British organ.
The facts are. the Dresden was
anchored 5oJ yards or the coast in
Cumberland bay, Juan Fernandez Is
land. when she was attacked on the
morning Of March II by the British
cruisers Kent and Glasgow and the
auxiliary cruiser Drama
The Dresden was i'm neutral nor.
with her engines disabled and without
coal: apparently with little ammunition
and practically unable to defend her
self.
After the Dresden. by the first volley
or the Infinitely superior enemy was hit
astern. the German commander pro
tested against the violation OF Chilean
neutrality. whercupon the commander
OF the British squadron declared he mad
orders to destroy the Dresden wherevor
ne found her. and that he did not care
for other questions which diplomacy
could settle afterwards.
Consequently, after last effort OF
hopeless resistance no alternative was
left for tho Dresden. but self-destruc-
ton.
The attitude of the commander OF
the British squadron was typical or
British contempt for the rights OF nru-
trail states. so long az the chief object
was attaincd-to destroy all mon Of war
dying the flag of Great Britain's enemy.
IF after this neutral government
protests on paper. British diplomacy
possibly condescends to express regret
but this Is only an unimportant detail
whereas England's naval officer may he
sure that his brutal contempt for neu-
trality finds the full approval OF the
British government, his orders being to
destroy German cruiser wherever he
may find her. This instruction was in
cluded In nm order not to consider the
sovereign rights of neutral states
How brutally CHILEAN neutrality was
violated Is proved by the fact that the
shells OF the British cruisers nenrly hit
Gillian ship. and that splinters fell
on Chilian territory which practically
amounts to the BON bar dment Of q neu-
trail Gillian port by British cruisers be-
cause German cruiser was inside.
This is practical evidence ms to what
extent Great Britain Isl standing up for
the wenk. especially neutral nations, as
advertised by the British Cabinet mem
hers. Chile Is unable to defend itself.
More interesting, however, Is what at
tttude tho United States government
VIII adopt In face OF such violation
of neutrality Of n South American re-
public. Also what the neutral states
of Europe will have to say about the
profession OF faith exhibited by British
guns Off Junn FernandeZ-that no
neutral waters territory exist for
the British navy in war times