The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-06-25
GERMANY REGRETS
ATTACKS ON SHIPS;
ASKS MORE FACTS
Berlin Government Replies to
President Wilson'S Note.
CALLS LUSlTANIA A CRUISER
United States Asked 20 Investigate
Asserts Liner Carried Mounted
Guns and a Cargo Of Ammuni-
tion-ustihes Sinking Of
the Falaba.

Washington. May S1.-The German
reply 10 the American note sent after
the sinking OF the Lusitania was re-
ceived in Washing ION 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 10
submit 10 Ambassador Gerard the fol
OF May Is regarding the injury 10
American interests through German
submarine warfare.
The imperial government has sub
1ected the communication Of the Amer.
team government 10 & thorough inves-
tigation. IL entertains also a keen
wish 10 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
mentioned by the American govern
nent
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
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.
III neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German sub
marine warfare. owing TO mistakes in
Identification. II is a question only OF
quite Isolated and exceptional cases.
which can be attributed 10 the British
governments 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
its investigation that a neutral ship.
not itself at fault. was damaged over
the unfortunate accident, and If JUST.
fed by conditions, has offered in
Identification.
The cases of the Cushing and the
Gullight will be treated on the same
principles. An investigation Of both
cases is in progress, the resuet OF
which will presently be communicated
10 the embassy. The investigation
can II necessary be supplemented by
an international call on the interna-
tional commission Of inquiry. as pro
vided by artle III OF The Hague agree
nent OF October is. 1907.
Justifes Sinking Of FsIsha.
When sinking the British steamer
Fslaba. the commander Of the Ger.
man submarine had the intention OF
allowing the passengers and crew a
full opportunity for a safe escape
Only when the master did not obey
the order TO heaye to. but fed and
summoned help by rocket signals. did
the German commander order the
crew and passengers by signals and
~megaphone 10 leave the ship within
ten minutes. He actually allowed
them % minutes time and fred the
torpedo only when suspicious craft
were Fastening to the assistance Of
the Falaba.
Regarding the loss OF life by the
sinking Of the British passenger steam
er Lusitania the German government
has already expressed 10 neutral gov
ernments concerned. its keen regret
that citizens OF their states lost Their
lives.
"On this occasion the imperial gov
eminent. however. cannot escape IN,
impression that certain important
facts having a direct bearing on tho
sinking OF the Lusitania may have es
capped the attention Of the American
government.
In the interest OF clear and com
plete understanding. which Is the ain
OF both governments. the imperia
government considers IL first neces
sary to convince itself that the infor
nation accessible 10 both government
about the facts OF the case is com
plete and In accord.
Calls Lusltsnis a Cruiser.
The government OF the United
States proceeds on the assumption
that the Lusitania could be regarded
as an ordinary unarmed merchant
man. The imperial government allow,
itself in this connection 10 point GU.
that the Lusitania vas one Of III,
largest and fastest British merchanN
ships. built with government funds a
an auxiliary cruiser and carried ex
pressly as such in the navy list is
sued by the British admiralty.
1T is further known TO the imperia
!, government from trustworthy report
from it's agents and neutral passenger
that for a considerable time PRACTICAL.
all the more valuable British mel
, chantmen have been equipped wit