The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-02

Berlin, May 30.-Germany with.
holds its final decision on the de-
mands advanced by the United States
government in connection with the
sinking of the Lusitania until the re.
ceipt of an answer from the United
States to the note which Herr von
Jagow, the foreign minister, has de-
livered to Ambassador Gerard, in
reply to the American note received
by the German government on May
Is. In it's reply the German govern
ment declares that 1t is not it's inten-
tion to submit neutral ships in the
war zene, which are guilty Of no hos
tile acts. to attacks by submarine or
aeroplahe; that it is investigating
the circumstances in connection with
the attacks on the American steamer
Gushing and Gulhight 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 case OF
the Lusitania, which Germany alleges.
was armed and carried large stores
of war munitions, 1T was acting in
justified self-defense in seeking with
all the means Of warfare at it's dispo-
sition to protect the lives of the SOL
diers by destroying ammunition ini
tended for the enemy" =.
The herman 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 form Germany which, It de-
clares. failed of their purpose be-
cause df the refusal Of the British
government to agree to them.
The following is the text of the
German note made public today:
The undersigned has the honor to
submitsto Ambassador Gerard the fol-
lowing !answer to the communication
Of May Is regarding the injury to
American interests through German
warfare.
THE imperial government has sub
jscted the communication OF the
American government to a thorough
investigation. 1t entertains also a
keen wish to cooperate I'm q frank and
friendly way I'm clearing up pos
sible misunderstanding which may
have arisen In the relations between
the two governments through the
events mentioned by the American
government.
Regarding. firstly, the case of the
American steamers Cushing and Gulf
light. The American embassy has al
ready been informed that the German
government has no intention Of sub
mitting neutral ships in the war zone,
which are guilty Of no hostile acts, to
attacks of summaries or aviators.
On the contrary. the German forces
have repeatedly been instructed most
specifically to avoid attacks on such
ships.
IF neutral ships i'm recent months
have suffered through the German
submarine warfare. owing to mistakes
in indentification, 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 culp-
able behavior of the masters Of the
ships.
The German governmnet in al
cases In which it has been shown by
it's investigations that neutral ship
not itself at fault, was damaged 10y
German submarines or aviators, ha.
expressed regret over the unfortunat,
accident and. II justified by conditions
has offered indemnihcation.
THE cases OF the Cushing and tn,
Gulfiight will be treated on the sam,
principles. An investigation Of botl
cases Is I'm progress the result Of which
will presently be communicated t,
the embassy. The investigation can
IL necessary, he supplanted by an in
tcrnational call on the internationa
commission Of inquiry as provided u.
article of The Hague agreement o
October IS. 1907.
when sinking the British steame
Falaba the commander of the Ger
man submarine had the intention q
allowing the passengers and crew
fun opportunity for n safe cscap,
only when the master did not onc
the order to hcavc to, but fled an