The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1915-06-03
GERMANYS REPLY
GIVEN u. S. ENVOY
ASKS MORE FACTS
Answer to Wilson's Message Is
nr EvasNe.
REGRETS ATTACKS ON SHIPS
Berlin Government Holds Lusitania
Carried Munitions Of War as
Well az Passeneers--Asks
Investigation.

investigation
Berlin, May 31.-The German reply
to the American note sent after the
sinking Of the Lusitania was signed by
Herr Won Jagow, the foreign minister,
and delivered to Ambassador Gerard
for transmission to Washington.
The note expresses Germany's re-
gre: for injuries sustained by Ameri.
cans as a result of submarine and
aeroplane attacks, and offers COM
pensation in cases In which Germany
Is found to be in the wrong. ..
The note defers direct answer to
the questions raised by President VIII.
son pending further exchange of
views. Germany desires to establish
whether the Lusitania was defense
less merchant ship or was being used
for the transportation of war NUM-
tons and soldiers, on which unsus-
pecting passengers we're permitted to
take passage to safeguard the war
materials.
Refers to Falaba Affair.
The American representations re-
garding the torpedoing OF the British
steamer Falaba, in which an Ameri-
can citizen lost his life, are answered
with the statement that it was intend
ed to offer ample time for the passen-
gers and crew to leave the ship.
The action of the captain in at
tempting to escape, however, necessi-
tated summary action. Even then the
commander Of the submarine granted
ten minutes for those on board to
leave the vessel, and subsequently ex-
tended the time to twenty-three min.
utes before sinking the ship.
Germany expresses regrets for the
unintentional attacks" on the Ameri.
can steamer Gushing and the Gulfight.
Germany disaVows any intention to
attack harmless neutral craft, and Of
fers compensation wherever she is
found to be In the wrong, and to re-
fer doubtful cases to The Hague for
q decision. "
Seeks LusItania'ss status:
The passages In the American note
concerning a possible dfsavowal by
Germany OF intent to sink the Lusi-
tania and the discontinuance Of its
present practices of submarine war.
fare are not mentioned specifically in
the reply.
The note states that, pending the
reply of the American government to
the German assumptions OF fact re-
garding the real character of the Lusi-
tania and its cargo, no attempt will
be made to answer the demands con-
tanned in the American communica-
ton These assumptions of fact are
as follows:
The Lusitania was built as an aux
fliary cruiser, subsidized. and carried
on the navy lists as such. 1t carried
according to German information, two
guns mounted and concealed below
decks.
British steamers sailing from New
York, according to information re-
ceiyed in Berlin, repeatedly carried
soldiers. artillery, war supplies and
contraband to England, the Lusitanfa
on its last trip carrying $500 cases
OF ammunition, in addition to other
war supplies and Canadian troops.
Refers to American Law.
Reference is made to the fact that
carrying explosives on passenger
steamers is contrary to American law.
1t is intimated that the German gov
eminent would be glad to receive in
formation as to how 1t happened that
ammunition was permitted to be-
shipped on the Lusitania, a vessel
crowded with passengers
Strong phrases are used regarding
what is considered as apparently the
deliberate policy of British shipping
companies to protect war shipments
by embarking American passengers on
the same ships.
Germany contends 1t is impossible
to settle the question whether proper
opportunity was given to place the
passengers and crew in safety until
1t Is determined whether the regula.
tons adopted after the sinking of the
Titanic, regarding proper supply of
boats and waterstight bulkheads,
which are part OF the American law,
were observed In the case of the Lusi-
tania.
Asks Pressure on Britain.
Finally. the American mediatory pro-
posals designed to end submarine war
fare and the throttling OF food sup
plies and other conditional contraband
for Germany are recalled. The gov
eminent expresses the desire to know
what steps, IL any. have been taken
to induce Great Britain to embark on
negotiations to this end, after Ger
many Indicated willingness to discuss
q settlement on this general basis.
Fire Injuries Is Persons.
New York, May sf.-Fifteen persons
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