Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-06-03

Berlin via. London, May 3o-The following is the text
Of the German note:
The undersigned has the honor to submit to Ambas
5ador Gerard the following to the communication of
May Is regarding the injury to American interests through
German submarine warfare:
Ihe Imperial government has subjected the
muncatlon of the American government to thorough in
vestgaton It enertans also keen wish to cooperate
IN frank and friendly in clearing up possible mis-
understanding which have arisen in the relations be-
tween the two governments through the events mentioned
oy the American government.
Regardng firstly the of the American steam
es Cushing and Gulflght The American embassy has al
tenton of submitting neutral ships in the zone which
are guilty of no hostile acts to attacks by submarine
forces have repeatedly been instructed most specifically to
avoid attacks on such ships
eff neutral ships in recent months have suffered
through the German submarine warfare owing to mistakes
IN Identification is question only of quite isolated and
exceptional cases which can be attributed the British
governments abuse Of flags, together the suspicious
or cupable behavior of the masters of the ships.
he German government in all cases in which it has
been shown by its Investigations that neutral ship
sell at fault was damaged by German submarines ava-
tors has expressed regret the unfortunate accident
ana II justified by conditions has offered decentralization
The cases of the Gushing and the Gufight will be
treated on the same principles An investigation of both
communicated to the embassy The investigation can if
necessary be supplemented by international call on the
International Commission of Inquiry, provided by article
III OF The Hague agreement of October IS, 1907
GAVE % MINUTES FOR ESCAPE
When sinking the British steamer Falaba, the
mander of the German submarine had the intention of al
Only when the master did not obey the order to
heave to- but fled and summoned help by rocket signals did
the German commander order the and passengers by
signals and megaphone to leave the ship within minutes
He actually allowed them twenty three minutes time and
fired the torpedo only when suspicious craft Fastening
to the assistance of the Falaba.
Regarding the loss of life by the sinking of the British
passenger steamer Lustana the German government
already expressed to the neutral
keen regret that citizens of their states lost their lives
"On this occasion the imperial government however,
cannot the impression that certain important facts
having direct bearing the sinking of the Lusana
have escaped the attention of the American government
'n the interest of clear and complete understanding
which the aim in both governments the imperial govern
considers first to convince itself that the
information accessible to both about the facts
of the is complete and in accord
LUSITANIA AUXILIARY CRUISER.
he government of the United States proceeds the
assumption that the Lustana could be regarded
binary una1ned merchantmen. The imperial government
allows itself in this connection point out that the Lus
ana was one of the largest and fastest British merchant
ships built with government funds auxiliary cruiser
and carried expressly such the list issued by the
British admiralty.