El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-04-16
ENGLAND OFFERS
CHILE APOLOGY
Replies to Chilean Protest
Regarding Sinking of
Cruiser Dresden.

London. Eng, April 16.-In answer
to a strong protest from the Chilean
government, Great Britain has offered
I a complete apology to Chile for the
action on March Il when a British
squadron entered Chilean territorial
waters and attacked the German
cruiser Dresden
The commander Of the Dresden. after
sinking his own ship b. exploding
the magazine. made a statement that,
upon being attacked IN Cumberland
bay by the British squadron, he sent
a commission under flag Of truce to
the British commander protesting
against being attacked while in neutral
waters. He said the British COM
manCer replied he had orders TO attack
and sink the Dresden wherever found
and let the diplomats straighten out
the resulting tangle later
Cruiser Asked to Intern.
The Chilean government, in its pro-
test. claimed the Dresden had already
applied for and received permission
TO intern with Chile before the British
squadron appeared.
The note delivered to the British gov
eminent by the Chilean minister says
that the German cruiser anchored IN
Cumberland bay March 9 and asked
permission to remain eight days for the
purpose Of repairing her engines
which were said to be out Of order
The governor Of the province refused
the request as he considered it I'M
founded and ordered the captain TO
leave the bay within "A hours
Governor Ia Turned Back
As the order was not compiled with,
the captain of the Dresden was in
formed that his ship was interned.
When the British squadron appeared
on March Il the governor was pro-
ceding to the cruiser Glasgow to in
form the British officers Of the steps
he had Talrnm hint he had IN Ia ok
as the British ships opened fire on
the Dresden, on which d flag Of truce
already had been hOisted. and called
on her captain to surrender. The cap
magazine of the Dresden.
This act OF hostility committed in
Chilean territorial waters by British
naval squadron" says the Chilean min
lister. has painfully surprised my govs
eminent"
Continuing. the minister says that
had the officer in command Of the
British squadron 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
a situation which conSrralns the Chilean
government. in defence Of its sovereign
rights, to formulate most energetic
protest"
England showed Contempt
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
surprise to us than TO see our extreme
" cordial attitude repaid by an act
which bears, unfortunately, all the
evidences Of contempt for our sovereign
rights although it is probable that
nothing was further from the minds OF
those by whom it was unthinkingly
committed"
The British government. IN its reply
expresses regret that a misunderstood
ing arose and adds:
''On the facts as stated in. the cOmmu-
nicatiOn of the Chilean minister the
British government is prepared 10 offer
q full and ample apology to the Chilean
government"
1t is, however. pointed out that acS
cordiug to the British version. the
Dresden had not accepted internment
and still had her cOlOrs flying and her
guns trained"
The British reply continues:
IF this was so and il there we're
no means available for enforcing the
decision Of the Chilean authorities to
intern the Dresden. she might obvious
", had not the British ships taken ac-
tiOn. have attempted again TO attack
British commerce"