West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-06-03

, OF Germany TO tho Presidents note
demanding cessation OF submarin,
warfare. is regarded by officials as {
direct challenge TO the facts ON which
tho President based his note and a DO
lite suggestion that the facts shoulC
be investigated. The view Prosiden
Wilson and his cabinet will take O.
the note is conjecture AZ neither tn,
White House stan or any member o
the cabinet would discuss the note to
night.
But there IN some belief here thai
inasmuoh rs Germany seeks to justify
the sinking OF tho Lusitania on alleged
facts the first step OF this government
may be To call upon Germany for
proof of her allegation. Tho fact that
the Lusitania was carrying ammuni-
tion. and the fact that the sinking of
'hc ship was due TO the explosion of
these munitions clearly rests upon
Germany.
The following is the text OF the
| German note:
THE undersigned has the honor TO
submit To Ambassador Gerard the fol-
lowing answer To the communication
OF May 10 regarding tho injury to
American interests through German
submarine warfare.
"Thc Imperial government has sub
jected the communication of the
| American government TO n thorough
investigation. IL entertains also n
Keen wish TO cooperate I'm a frank
and friendly way In clearing up pos
sible Misunderstanding which may
nave arisen I'm the relations between
the two governments through tho ey-
ents mentioned by the American gov
ernmont.
| Regarding, firstly, the cases of the
| American ships, the American embas-
sy has already been Informed TINT
the German government has no in
tention of submitting neutral ships i'm
the war zone, which are guilty of no
hostile acts, TO attacks by subma-
rlne or submarines or aviators: on tho
contrary the German forces have been
repeatedly instructed to avoid attacks
on such ships. III neutral ships have
suffered In recent months through the
German warfare, owing TO mistakes I'm
identification IL is question of quite
isolated and exceptional cases, which
can he attributed to the British gov
ernments use OF flags, together with
the suspicious or culpable behavior OF
the masters OF the ship. The Ger
man government i'm all cases I'm which
IL mas been shown by It's investiga-
tion that "A neutral ship I'm itself AZ
fault was damaged by German sub
marins or aviator has expressed re-
gret over the unfortunate incident
and II justified by conditions has of.
fered indcmnifcations
THE cases OF the Gushing and
Gulhight will be treated on the Same
principles. An investigation of both
cases is in progress, the result OF
which Will presently be communicated
i""S' nc investigation
can If necessary. be supplemented bv
an international call on the Interna-
tiohal Commission of Inquiry as pro-
Vided by article 3 of the Hague agree
ment OF 1907.
When sinking the British steamer
Falaba, the commander OF the German
submarine had the intention of allow
ing the passengers and crew n full
opportunity for safe escape. Only
when the master did not obey the or
der but fled and summoned holm
by rocket signals did the German
commander order the crew and pas-
sengers to leave the ship within ten
minutes. lie actually allowed them
twenty-three minutes time and fired
the torpedo only when suspicious
crafts were Fastening to the assist
ance Of the Falaba.
Regarding the loss of life bv tho
sinking OF the Lusitania the German
government has already expressod
Keen regret that citizens OF their
states lost their lives. ON this occa-
sion the Imperial government. how
ever cannot escape the Impression
mat certain important facts, having a
direct bearing on the sinking of the
Lusitania, have escaped the attention
OF the American government. In tho
interest Of clear and complete under-
standing, which is the aim of both
governments. the Imperial govern
ment considers IL first necessary IN
convince Itself that the Information
accessible 20 both governments abou,
the facts Of the case is complete and
in accord.
Ihe government OF the United
states proceeds on the assumptior
mat the Lusitania could be regarded
as an ordinary unarmed merchant.
man The Imperial government nj.
lows itself I'm this connection TO poipi
out that the Lusltania was one of
the largest and fastest British ships.
putt as an auxiliary cruiser. and car
ried expressly in the navy list issued
by the British admiralty. Il is fur
ther known to the Imperial govern
ment from trustworthy reports from
its agents that for a considerable time
practically all the British merchant
men have been equipped with cannon
and manned with persons who have
been trained in serving guns. The
Lusitania, too, had cannon aboard.