Omaha daily bee., 1915-06-05
GERMANY AGREES
TO PAY FOR HURT
DONE TO GULFLTGHT
Gerard Cables Notes from Imperial
Government Promising Indem-
nifty for Damage to U. S.
Ship.
EXPLAINS WHY ATTACK MADE
Captain of Submarine, it is Said,
Saw No Neutral Markings on
the Vessel.
UNAWARE IT WAS AMERICAN

WASHINGTON, June 4.-Ambas-
sador Gerard cabled the State depart
ment today a note from the German
government agreeing to pay an in
demnity for the damage done by a
German submarine to the American
steamer Gulflight, torpedoed off the
scilly islands.
Text of Note.
The text of the note, which was signed
by the minister of foreign affairs, fol-
lows:
''Referring 10 the note OF May q. the
undersigned has the honor to inform his
cxcelency. the ambassador OF the United
States of America, MIR. Gerard, that the
examination undertaken on the part of
the German government concerning the
american steamers Gulflight and Cush-
ing has led to the following conclusions:
I'm regard to the attack on the steamer
Gulflight, the commander of German
submarine saw on the afternoon of May
IN the vicinity of the Scilly islands
large merchant steamer coming in his
direction, which was accompanied by two
smaller vessels These latter took such
positions in relation to the steamer that
they formed a regulation safeguard
against submarines; moreover, one OF
them had a wireless apparatus, which Is
not usual with small vessels.
No Neutral Marking.
''From this IL evidently was a case OF
English convoy vessels. Since such yes
sells are regularly armed, the submarine
could not appear and approach the
steamer on the surface of the water
without running the danger of destruc-
tion. It was, on the other hand TO oe
assumed that the steamer was OF con-
siderable value to the British govern
nent since It was so guarded. The com
mander could see no neutral markings
on IL of any kind. that is, disunctlVe
marks PAINTED on the free board, recos-
nizable at q distance, such as are now
usual on neutral ships IN the Inshsn
zone Of naval warfare
"rn consequence. he arrived at the con"
c,us,on from all the circumstances that
ha had 10 deal with an English steamer
-,,t,,,.a4oad and attacked. The torpedo
oan,a in the immediate neighborhood OF
ona ~ the convoy ships, which at once
san,dlv anproached the point of hring' SO
.Sat tha submarine was forced TO go 10
80. deoth 10 avoid being rammeo; tne
.,,,.,c~ Of the commander that an
zrqIish convoy ship was concerneu was
an This way confirmed
Unaware American SNIP
..J-nat the attacked steamer cArrieu ."s
Au,srIcan flag was first observed e' VI.
..,av,ent Of firing the shot. Inc lso'
+t .Ia steamer was pursuing course
''.,' IN LEA neither to nor from America
was a further reason why II olu nos ~
49, q the commander of the suomarihe
thot he was dealing with an American
steamer. - ,lacs
Linen scrutiny of the time ana place
~ occurrence described the German
..,,,oa,,t % has become convinced tha'
.ha attacked steamer was actualS 'ne
ste.rosh,p Gulflight. There can ne nc
ao,ht according to the attenaaht en
suv,stances that the attack Is 10 ne al,
.-rh,ted 10 an unfortunate acclueh' ""O
- 20 the fault of the commander
Expresses Regret -.
..--ne German government expresses ~
,,rsts 10 the government OF the ohi.e'
s,etes concerning this incident ana ue
eIares 1tseIf ready to furnish ful recon-
".so FOR the damage thereby sustained
AMERICAN citizens. II is left 10 'h'
aiscretion OF the American goVerrii'en
=. orasant a statement of this damase
a. doubts may arise over inoiViuua
a,nt. to designate an expert who "oul'
STS-,o Column One. \