The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1915-06-04

III
in GuIfIiqht and Cushing Cases
Saws Faiaba Tried to Escape-Holds
British Owners to Blame for Loss
of Lusitania Lives.
BERLIN CVia The Hague)
The text of the German reply 10
the American note regarding the Lusl-
tania and other incidents as maze
public here follows:
1.-THE imperial government mas SUI
icted the statements of the Onlteo
States to careful examination and mas
a lively wish to contribute IN frank
and friendly manner to clear up any
misunderstanding which may have en-
tered into the relations between the
two governments through the events
mentioned by the American note.
Indemnity for Cushing and GuIfl'ght'
with regard to the Gushing and
Gdlflight incidents the American en-
bassy already has been informed that
If is far from the German government
to have anv intention of ordering at
tacks by submarines or fliers on neu-
trail ships in the war zone not guilty
of any hostile act On the contrary
most explicit instructions repeatedly
have been given the German armed
forces to avoid attacking such YES
sells
eff neutral ships have come to grief
through German submarine warfare
during the past few months by mis-
take, it is a question of isolated and
exceptional cases which are traceable
to the mi use of flags by the British,
In connection with carelessness or
suspicious actions on the part OF
ships. In all cases where a neutral
vessel, through no fault of its own,
has come to grief through German
submarines or fliers according to the
facts as ascertained by the German
government, this government has eX-
pressed it's regret at the unfortunate
occurrence and has promised indem-
MITIGATION where the facts justified it.
Germany will treat the cases Of the
American steamers Cushing and Gulf
light according to the same princi-
pies. All investigation is in progress
aid the results will be communicated
to the embassy shortly.
eff necessary the investigation can
be supplemented by a call on the in
ternational committee of inquiry, as
provided for in article III of The
Hague agreement of Oct IS, 1907
Says FaIaba Tried to Escape.
"In the case of the sinking of the
English ship Falaba, the commander
Of the German submarine had the in
tCntion OF allowing the passeng gers
and crew ample opportunity to save
themselves. 1t was not until the cap
tain disregarded the order to lay to
and took to flight, sending up rock
cts for help, that the commander or
Gcred the crew and passengers by
signal through megaphOne to leave
within ten minutes. AS a matter of
fact he allowed them twenty-three
minutes and did not fire a torpedo I'm.
til suspicious vessels were hurryins
10 a1u Cne falaDa.
Regrets Lusitania Loss of Life.
with regard to the loss of life
when the British passenger steamer
Lusitania was sunk the German gov.
ernment already has expressed deep
regret to neutrals concerned that ma
tionals of those countries lost their
lives. The imperial government is
unable for the rest to reject the i'm
preston that certain important facts
most directly connected with the
sinking of the Lusitania may have
escaped the attention of the American
government. 1t therefore considers it
necessary in the interests of the clear
and full understanding aimed at by
D. tn governments primarily to con
vince itself that the reports of the
facts which are before the two gov
ernments are complete and in agree
ment.
Says 1t Was Auxiliary Cruiser.
"The government of the United
States proceeds from the assumption
that the Lusitania is to be considered
vessel. The imperial government begs
in this connection to point out that
the Lusitania was one of the largest
and fastest English commercial steam
ers constructed with governments
funds as an auxiliary cruiser and is
expressly included in the navy list
Published by the British admiralty.
cit is moreover known to the Imper
ial government from reliable infor
nation furnished by its officials anC
neutral passengers that for some time
practically all the more valuable Eng
lish merchant vessels have been pro
yided with guns, ammunition and 9th
err weapons and furnished with crew.
especially practiced in manning guns
According to reports here, the Lusi
tania, when she left New York, has
guns aboard which were mounted un
der deck aud masked.
THE imperial government further