Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-05-31

Berlin, May 30-Germany withhoIds
its final decision on the demands ad-
vanced by the United States govern
ment in connectio nwith the sinking
of the dusitania until the receipt of
an answer from the United States to
the note which Herr Won Jagow, the
foreign minister, has delivered to Am
bassador Gerard, in reply to the
American note received by the German
government on May Is
In its reply the German government
| declares that it is not it's intention to
submit neutral ships in the war zone
which are guilty of no hostile acts. to
attacks by submarine or aeroplane;
| that it is investigating the circum-
stances in connection with the at
tacks on the American steamers
Gushing and Gulfiight and that in all
cases where neutral vessels, through
no fault of their own, have been dam
| aged, Germany will pay indemnifica-
ton.
The reply urges that in the cases of
the IuSitanIa, which Germany alleges
was armed and carried large stores of
war munitions it was ''tcting in justi-
| fed self defence in seeking with all
| the means of warfare at it's disposal
| to protect the lives of its soldiers by
| destroying ammunition intended for
| the enemy"
The German government recalls
| the proposals submitted by the United
| States government to Berlin and Lon
| don designed to end the submarine
| warfare and the shutting out of food
supplies from Germany, which, it de-
| clares. fails of their purpose because
of the British government to agree to
| them,
| Text of Note.
The following is the text of the Ger
| man note:
THE undersigned has the honor to
| submit to Ambassador Gerard the fol-
| lowing answer to the communication
| of May Is. regarding the injury to
| American interests through German
| submarine warfare:
"The imperial government has sub
| jected the communication of the
American government to a thorough
| investigation. 1t entertains also
keen wish to cooperate in a frank and
| friendly way in clearing up a possible
| misunderstanding, which may have
| arisen in the relations between the two
governments through the events men
| toned by the American government.
Not to Attack Neutral Ships.
Regarding. firstly, the cases Of
| the American steamers Cushing and
| Gulfight. The American embassy has
| already been informed that the Ger
| man government has no intention of
submitting neutral ships in the war
zone, which are guilty of no hostile
| d
| submarines or aviators. On the con-
trary, the German forces have re
| peadedly been instructed most speci-
| fcaIly to avoid attack on such ships.
Only Isolated Mistakes.
'If neutral ships in recent months
| have suffered through the German
submarine warfare, owing to mistakes
| in Identification, it is a question only
| of quite isolated and exceptional cases,
which can be attributed to the British
governments abuse Of flags, together
with the suspicious or culpable be-
havior of the masters of the ships.
1.-The German government, in all
cases in which it has been shown by
its Investigations that neutral ship.
not itself at fault, was damaged by
German submarines or aviators, has
expressed regret over the unfortunate
accident and, if justified by conditions,
has offered indemnif1cation.
Cases of Cushing and Gulfiight.
''The cases of the Cushing and the
Gulfight will be treated on the same
principles. An investigation of both
cases is in progress. the result of
which will presently be communicated
to the embassy. The investigation
can, if necessary, be supplemented by
an international call on the interna-
tionaI commission of inquidy as pro-
vided by article III of The Hague
agreement of October IS. 1907.
Master of FaIaba Dis6beyed.
f'When sinking the British steamer
F,alaba, the commander of the Ger
man submarine had the intention of
allowing the passengers and crew
full opportunity for a safe escape
Only when the master did not obey
the order to heave-to, but fired and
summoned help by rocket signals, did
the German commander order the crew
and passengers by signals and mega
phone to leave the ship within ten
minutes. He actually allowed them
% minutes time and fired the torpedo
only when suspicious craft were
fastening to the assistance of the Fa-
laba.
About the Lusitania.
Regarding the loss of life by the
sinking of the British passenger steam
er Lusitania, the German government
has already expressed to the neutral
governments concerned its keen regret
that citizens Of their states lost their
lives.
"On this occasion the imperial gov
ernment, however. cannot escape the
impression that certain important
facts having a direct bearing on the
sinking of the Lusitania may have
escaped the attention Of the American
government
Tn the interest Of a clear and COM
p1ete understanding which is the aim
of both governments, the imperial gov
ernment considers it first necessary to
convince itself that the information
accessible to both governments about
the facts of the case is complete and
in accord
Lusitania in "Navy List"
The government of the United