The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-04-16
ENGLAND REGRETS
SINKING OF DRESDEN
IN CHILEAN WATERS
Full and Ample Apology Is
Sent to South American
Country by Great
Britain

London. April l5.-0s.55 p. n.) Great
Britain has offered "a full and ample
apology" to the Chilean government for
the sinking. March IA, in Chilean terri
torial waters OF the German cruiser Dres-
den, the internment of which already had
been ordered by the maritime governor of
Cumberland bay, when the British spad-
ron attacked and sank the German.
This fact was made public tonight In a
white paper giving the texts of the Cnil-
can note protesting against the sinking
of the Dresdent and the British reply.
The note delivered by the Chilean min
lister to Great Britain says that the Dres-
den, anchored in Cumberland bay (Juan
Fernandez Island) March 3. and asked
permission to remain eight days for the
purpose of repairing her engines. The
governor refused the request as he CON-
sidered it unfounded and ordered the cap
tain to leave within "A hours.
As the order was not complied with the
captain of the Dresdent was informed that
his ship was interned.
When the British squadron appeared
March IA, the governor was proceeding to
the cruiser Glasgow to inform the British
officers of the steps he had taken, but he
had to turn back, as the British ships
opened fire on the Dresden, on which a
flag of truce already had been hosted
and called on her captain to surrender.
The captain then gave orders to blow up
the magazine of the Dresden
Act of Hostility
This act of hostility committed in Chill
can territorial waters by British naval
squadron, says the Chilean minister.
has painfully surprised my government -
Continuing, the minister says that mad
the officer in command of the British
squa dron received the governor and been
informed that the Dresden was interned,
he was convinced, "the British commander
would not have opened fire on her and
brought about situation which con-
strains the Chilean government, in de-
fense of its sovereign rights. to formulate
a most energetic protest"
After referring to the hospitality shown
British ships in Chilean waters and to the
long friendship between the two peoples,
the minister says:
Nothing could be a more painful sur
prise to us than to see our extremely cor
dial attitude repaid by an act which bears
unfortunately all the evidences of con-
tempt for our sovereign rights, although
it is probable that nothing was farther
from the mind of those by whom it was
unthinkingly committed
The British government, replying, ex-
presses regret that a misunderstanding
arose. and adds:
"On the facts as stated in the commune
cation of the Chilean minister. the Brit
ish government is prepared to offer FULL
and ample apology to the Chilean govern
ment."
s'It is however, pointed out that accord
ing to the British Information, the Dres-
den had not accepted internment and still
had her colors flying and her guns
trained
The British reply continues: IF ths is
so and IL there were no means available
for enforcing the decision of the Chilean
authorities to intern the Dresden, she
might obviously, had not the British sbips
taken action, have escaped again to at
tack British commerce
Defying Authorities
1t is added: 1.-THE captain of the Glas-
gov probably assumed especially in view
of the past action Of the Dresden, that
she was defying the Chilean authorities
and abusing Chilean neutrality and was
only waiting for favorable opportunity
to sally out and attack British commerce
again.
IN view OF the time it would take to
clear up the circumstances and because OF
the Chilean communication, the British
government does not wish to qualify the
apology that they now present 10 The
Chilean gOyernment."