The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-06-04
GERMANY REGRETS
ATTACKS ON SHIPS;
ASKS MORE FACTS
Berlin Government Replies to
President Wilson's Note.
CALLS LUSITANIA A CRUISER
United States Asked 70 Investigate
Asserts Liner Carried Mounted
Guns ana Cargo Of Aumuni-
tion--Justites Sinking Of
the Faiaba.

Washington. May 3l.-The German
reply TO the American note sent after
the sinking OF the Lusitania was re-
ceived In Washington last night from
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin and
made public here.
The following is the text OF the
German note:
The Undersigned has the honor to
submit TO Am bassador Gerard the fol-
lowing answer 10 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 Amer
fcan government 10 a thorough invest
tigation II entertains also a keen
wish 10 cooperate in frank and
friendly way in clearing up possible
Misunderstanding which may have
arisen in the relations between the
two governments through the events
mentioned by the American govern
ment
Regarding. firstly. the cases OF the
American steamers Gushing and
Gulhight 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
acts. 10 attacks by a submarine or
submarines or aviators. On the con
trary. the German forces have repeat
eddy been instructed most specifically
10 avoid attacks on such ships
Cites Misuse Of Flags
IF neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German sub
marine warfare. owing TO mistakes in
identi fication. II is a question only OF
quite isolated and exceptional cases.
which can be attri buted 20 the British
government abuse OF flags. together
with the suspicious or culpable be
havior OF the masters OF the ships.
The German government. in all
cases IN which II has been shown by
I fits investigation that a neutral ship.
not itself at fault. was damaged over
/ the unfortunate accident. and II justi.
I fed by conditions, has offered In.
I Identification.
The cases OF the Cushing and the
I Gulfiight will be treated on the same
I principles. An investigation OF both
cases is in progress. the rescs OF
which will presently be commS nicated
10 the embassy The inyesti cation
can IL necessary be supplemented BY
an international cell on the interna
tionaI commission OF inquiry. as pro
vided by artle III OF The Hague agree
ment Of October is. 1907.
Justifes Sinking OF FsIabs.
When sinking the British steamer
Falaba the mmander OF the Ger
man submarine had the intention o
allowing the passengers and crew ;
full opportunity for a safe escape
the order 20 heave to. but Fed an'
summoned help by rocket signals, di'
the German commander order tn
crew and passengers by signals AM
meEaphone TO leave the ship within
ten minutes. He actually allowe'
them % minutes time and fired tn
torpedo only when suspicious Graf
were Fastening TO the assistance @
the Falaba.
Regarding the loss of life by tn
sinking Of the British passenger steam
or LusItania the German government
has already expressed TO neutral go'
ernments concerned. its keen regre
that citizens OF their states lost thei
lives.
ION this occasion the imperial go
eminent. however, cannot escape tn
impression that certain importar
facts having direct bearing on tn
} sin king of the Lusitania may have e.
capped the attention OF the America
government.
In the interest OF clear and con
plete understanding. which is the ali
OF both governments. the imperi;
government considers IL first nece
sary to convince itself that the info
nation accessible 10 both government
about the facts OF the case Is con
plete and in accord.
Calls lusitsnis = Cruiser.
The government of the Unite
States proceeds on the assumptio
that the Lusitania could be regarde
as an ordinary unarmed merchan
man. The imperial government allow
itself in this connection to point OF
that the Lusitania was one Of n
largest and fastest British merchal
ships, built with government funds {
an auxiliary cruiser and carried Q
pressly as such in the navy list
sued by the British admiralty.
1T Is further known to the imperi
government from trustworthy repor
from its agents and neutral passenge
that for a considerable time practical
all the more valuable British me
, chantmen have been equipped wi
! cannon and ammunition and 9th