The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-06-03
.GERMkNY'S REPLY
TO UNITED STATES.
LAYS UPON GREAT BRITAIN THE
BLAME FOR THE SINKING
OF THE LUSITANIA.


the text to the reply of the German
Government to President Wilson's
note regarding the German methods
of submarine warfare:
The undersigned has the honor to
submit to Ambassador Gerard the
following answer to the communi-
cation of May Is regarding the in
jury to American interests through
German submarine warfare.
The Imperial Government has sub
jected the communication of the
American Government to thorough
investigation. 1t entertains also
I keen wish to cooperate in a frank
and friendly way in clearing up a
possible misunderstanding which
may have arisen in the relations be,
tween the two Governments through
the events mentioned by the Amer
ican Government.
Regarding, first, the cases Of the
American steamers Cushing and
Gulfight, 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 a SUBJ
marine or submarines or aviators.
On the contrary, the German forces
have repeatedly been instructed
most specifically to avoid attacks on
such ships.
PUTS PART OF BLAME ON NEUTRAL
CAPTAINS.
If neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German
submarine warfare. owing to mis-
takes in Identification, it is ques-
tion only of quite isolated and ex-
ceptional cases, which can be at
tributed to the British Governments
abuse of flags, together with the
suspicious or culpable behavior of
the masters of the ships.
The German Government, in all
cases in which it has been shown by
its Investigations that neutral ship,
not itself at fault, was damaged bv
German submarines or aviators, has
expressed regret over the unfortu-
nate accident, and, if justified by
conditions, offered indemnifcation.
The cases of the Cushing and Gul-
flight will be treated on the sane
principles. An investigation Of both
cases is in progress, the result of
which will presently be communi-
Gated to the Embassy. The inveti-
CATION can, if necessary, be supple
mented by an international call on
the international Commission of In
quiry. as provided by Article III. of
the Hague Agreement of October
18, 1907.
FALABA'S PASSENGERS WARNED.
When sinking the British steamer
Falaba the commander of the Ger
man submarine had the intention of
allowing the passengers and crew a
full opportunity for a safe escape.
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 crew and passengers, by signals
and megaphone. to leave the ship
within ten minutes. He actually al
lowed them twenty-three minutes
time, and fired the torpedo only when
suspicious craft were fastening to-
the assistance of the Falaba.
Regarding the loss of life by the
sinking of the British passenger
steamer l.usitania, the German Gov
ernment has already expressed to
the neutral Governments concerned
its keen regret that citizens of their
States lost their lives.
On this occasion the Imperial Gov
ernment, however, cannot escape
the impression that certain import
ant facts having direct bearing on
the sinking of the Lusitania may