The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-06-03
= GERNIANY's REPLY.
Full Text of Official Reply to Presi.
dent Wilson's Note.

The following is the text Of the
| German note: M
"The Undersigned has the honor
! to submit to Ambassador Gerard the
following answer to the colnmunica-
ton of May Is, regarding the sinjury
to American interests through Ger
man submarine warfare: "A
The imperial government has
subjected the communica ton OF the
American government to thorough
investigation. 1t entertains keen
wish to cooperate in a frank and
| friendly way in clearing up a pos
sible misunderstanding which may
have arisen in the relations between
| the two governments due to events
mentioned by the American govern
ment.
Not After Neutral Ships.
Regarding, firstly, the cases of
the American steamers Gushing and
Gulflight. The American embassy
has already been informed that the
German government has no inten-
ton of submitting neutral ships in
the war zone which are guilty of no
hostile acts, to attacks by sub
marine or submarines, 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
submarine warfare, owing to mis-
takes in Identification, it is ques-
ton only of quite isolated and ex-
ceptional cases, which can be attrib-
uted to the British governments
abuse of flags, together with the sus-i
picious or culpable behavior of mas
tiers of the ships.
Regret Attacks on Neutrals.
''The German government in all
cases in which it has been shown by
it's investigations thata neutral ship,l
not itself at fault, was damaged by
German submarines or aviatOrs, has
expressed regret over the unfortu-
nate accident, and, if justified by
conditions, has offered indemnifica-
ton.
'.The cases of the Cushing and
Gulflight will be treated on the
same principles. An investigation
of both cases is in progress the re-
suit of which will presently be COM
cunicated to the embassy. The in
vestigation can, if necessary, be sup
plemented by an international call
on the international commission of
inquiry, as provided by article III Of
The Hague agreement of Oct. 49,,
1907
Tells of Falaba Case.
when sinking the British steam
er Falaba, the commander Of the
German submarine had the inten-
ton Of allowing the passengers and
crew full opportunity for safe es-
cape Only when the master did not
obey the order to heave to, but fled
and summoned help by rocket sig
order the crew and passengers to
leave the ship within ten minutes.
He actually allowed them twenty-
three minutes time, and fred thel|
torpedo only when suspicious crafts 4
were fastening to the assistance OF
the Falaba.
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
it's keen regret that citizens of their
states lost their lives.
Other Facts Enter.
''On this occasion the imperial !
German government, however, can |
not escape the impression that GER
tain important facts have direct |
bearing on the sinking of the Lusi-
tania may have escaped the atten-
ton OF the American government
in the interest of clear and
complete understanding, which is
the aim of both governments, the
imperial government considers it |
first necessary to convince itself that
the information accessible to both |
governments about the facts of the
case is complete and in accord
'The government of the United
States proceeds on the assumption
that the Lusitania could be regard
ed as an ordinary unarmed mer- !
chairman. The imperial govern
ment allows itself in this connection
to point out that the Lusitania was |
one of the largest and fastest British |
ships, built with govern |
ment funds as an auxiliary cruiser
and carried expressly as such in the
navy list issued by the British adj
Are Armed, They Say.
cit is further known to the i'm
perial government, from trustwor-
thy reports from its agents and neu- I
trail passengers, that for a consid- /
cradle time practically all the more
valuable British merchantmen have
been equipped with cannon and am
and other weapons and
manned with persons who have been
trained in serving guns.
The Lusitania, too, according to in !
formation received here, had cannon
aboard which were mounted and
below decks.
''The imperial government fur
her has the honor to direct the par /,
ocular attention of the American /,
government to the fact that the 4
British admiralty, in a confidential
Instruction issued in February, 1915, J,