The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-06-11
GERMANY DEFENDS
SINKING LUS|TAN|A
DECLARES 1T WAS AN ACT OF
SELF DEFENSE TO PROTECT
LIVES OF HER SOLDIERS.
Serlin Note Says Germany Has NO
intention to Submit Neutral Ships
IN the War Zone to Attacks
by Submarines.

Washington. Germany reply to
the American note concerning the
sinking Of the Lusitania with loss
OF more than 100 American lives, has
produced a feeling Of profound disap-
pointment here.
Germany withholds it's final decision
on the demands advanced by the Unit
ed States government in connection
with the sinking of the Lusitania. un-
I'll the receipt of an answer from the
United States to the note which Herr
Won Jagow, the foreign minister, has
delivered to Ambassador Gerard in re-
ply 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 submarines or aeroplanes;
that it is investigating the circum-
stances in connection with the attacks
on the American steamers Cushing
and Gulfiight, and that in all cases
where neutral vessels, through no
fault of their own, have been dam
aged, Germany will pay indemnifica-
tion.
The reply urges that in the case of
the Lusitania, which Germany alleges
was armed and carried large stores
OF war munitions, it was acting in
justified self-defense in seeking with
all the means of warfare at its dis
position to protect the lives of It's SOL
diers by destroying ammunition in
tended for the enemy
The German government recalls the
proposals submitted by the United
States government ca Berlin and Lon
don, designed to end the submarine
warfare and the shutting out of food
supplies from Germany, which, it de-
elares, failed of their purpose be-
cause of the refusal of the British
government to agree to them.
President Wilson had retired early
Sunday night, before the text arrived,
but from a reading of the summary
published Sunday and Ambassador
Gerard's forecasts he had an accurate
impression of what it contained. Sec
rotary Bryan would make no COM
ment. Other cabinet officers were re-
tlcent, but there was little conceal
nent anywhere that the answer from
Berlin had produced a grave situation
IN the relations between the United
States and Germany. Just what course
of action the United States will pur-
sue is undetermined.
fol -.
German note:
The undersigned has the honor to
submit to Ambassador Gerard the fol-
lowing answer to the communication
OF May 15 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 pos
slble misunderstanding which may
have arisen in the relations between
the two governments through the
events mentioned by the American
government. Regarding, firstly, the
cases of the American steamers Cush-
ing and Gulfiight. The American en-
'bassy has already been informed that
the German government has no in
tention of submitting neutral ships
IN the war zone, which are guilty of
no hostile acts, to attacks by a sub
marine or submarines, or aviators. On
the contrary, the German forces have
repeatedly been instructed most speci-
dcally to avoid attacks on such ships.
Sees cuIpabIe Behavior.
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 Brit |
ish government abuse of flags, to-
gether with the suspicious or culpable
behavior of the masters of the ships
The German government, in all
cases in which it has been shown by
it's 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 condi- |
lions, has offered Naturalization.
THE cases of the Cushing and the
Gulfiight will be treated on the same |
principles. An investigation of both |
cases is in progress, the result of I
which will presently be communi-
Gated to the embassy. The investiga- |
ton can, if necessary, 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.
when sinking the British steamer
Falaba, the commander of the Ger
man submarine had the intention of
allowing the passengers and crew a
full opportunity for safe escape.
Only when the master did not obey