Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-06-03

Text Of German Reply.
Berlin, via London, May 3l.-The
following is the text of the German
reply to the note of the United States
government:
''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 interest through German
submarine warfare:
''The Imperial government has sub
iected the communication Of the
American government to a thorough
investigation. 1t entertains also a
keen wish to 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.
To Avoid Attacks on Neutrais.
Regarding, firstly, the cases of the
American steamers Gushing and Gulf
light. The American embassy has al
ready 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, to attacks by submarine or sub
marines or aviators. On the contrary,
the German forces have repeatedly
been instructed most specifically to
avoid attacks on such ships,
IF neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German sub
marine warfare, owing to mistakes in
identification, it is 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.
Expresses Deep Regret.
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 indemnification.
The cases OF the Gushing and the
Guliight will be treated on the same
principles. An investigation of both
cases is in progress, the result of
which will presently be communicate
ed to the embassy. The investiga-
tion if necessary, will be supplement-
ed by an international call On the in
ternational commission of inquiry, as
provided by Article III of The Hague
agreement of October IS. 1907.
Sinking of the Faiaba.
When sinking the British steamer
Falaba, the commander Of the Ger
man submarine had the intention Of
allowing the passengers and crew
full opportunity for safe escape.
Only when the master did not obey
the order to heaveto, but fed and
summoned help by rocket signals, did
the German commander order the
crew and passengers by signals and
megaphones to leave the ship within
ten minutes. He actually allowed them
% minutes time. and fred the torpedo
only when suspicious craft were hast
sning to the assistance of the Falaba.
Regarding the Lusitania.
Regarding the loss of life by the
sinking of the British passenger
steamer Lusitania, the German gov
eminent has already expressed to the
neutral governments concerned its
keen regret that citizens of their states
lost their lives
.np +b;s opca sion the ImDeriaI gov
eminent, however, cannot escape the
impression that certain important
facts having direct bearing on the
sinking Of the Lusitania may have es-
caped the attention OF the American
government.
In the interest Of clear and COM
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