The Elbert County tribune., 1915-06-04
GERMANY'S NOTE
REPLYING TO DEMAND or UNITED
STATES FOR EXPLANATION
OF ATTACKS.
KAISER IGNORES WILSON DE.
MAND THAT SUBMARINE AT
TAcks MUST CEASE.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service
Berlin, May 30.-The undersigned
has the honor to submit to Ambas-
sador Gerard the following answer to
the communication of May 15 regard
ing the injury to American interests
through German submarine warfare
The imperial government has sub
jected the communication of the
American government to a thorough
investigation 1t entertains keen
wish to cooperate in frank and
friendly way in clearing up possible
Misunderstanding which may have
arisen in the relations between the
two governments through the events
mentioned by the American govern
ment.
Regarding. firstly the cases of the
American steamers Gushing and Gulf-
light. The American embassy has
already been informed that the Ger
man government has no intention Of
submitting neutral ships in the war
zone which are guilty of no hostile
acts, to attacks by n submarine or sub
marines, or aviators. On the contrary,
the German forces have repeatedly
been instructed most specifically to
hf0iu dttdCkS OH SUCH SulpS.
II neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German
submarine warfare, owing to mistakes
in Identification. 1t is a question only
of quite isolated and exceptional
cases. which can be attributed to the
British governments abuse OF flags
together with the suspicious or culpa-
bic behavior Of the masters of the
ships.
The German government, in all
cases in which 1t has been shown by
Investigations that neutral ship, not
itself at fault. was damaged by Ger
man submarines or aviators. has ex-
pressed regret over the unfortunate
accident. and if justified by condi-
tions, has offered indemnification.
The cases of the Gushing and Gulf
light will be treated ON the same prin-
ciples. An investigation of both cases
is In progress, the result of which will
presently he communicated to the en-
can be supplemented by an inter
national call on the international
commission of inquiry. as provided by
Article III of The Hague agreement.
OF October 18. 1907
When sinking the British steamer
Falaba. the commander of the German
submarine had the intention OF allow
ing the passengers and crew full
opportunity for a safe escape. ONLY
when the master did not obey the
order to heave to. but fled and sum-
moned help by rocket signals, did the
German commander order the crew
and passengers by signals and mega
phones to leave the ship within ten
minutes. He actually allowed them
twenty-three minutes time. and fired
the torpedo only when suspicious craft
we're Fastening to the assistance of
the Falaba.
Regarding the loss of life by the
sinking of the British passenger
steamer Lusitania, the German gov
ernmeut has already expressed to the
neutral governments concerned its
keen regrets that citizens of their
states lost their lives
On this occasion, the imperial gov
ernment, however, cannot escape the
Impression that certain important
facts having direct bearing on the
sinking OF the Lusitania may have es-
capped the attention of the American
government
In the interest of a clear and com
plete understanding, which is the aim
of both governments, the imperial
government considers it first neces-
sary to convince itself that the info--
nation accessible to both governments
about the facts of the case is complets
and In accord
The government OF the United
States proceeds on the ASSUMPTION
that the Lusitania could be regarded
rs an ordinary unarmed merchantmen,