The state herald., 1915-06-04
GERMANY'S NOTE
REPLYING TO DEMAND OF UNITED
STATES FOR EXPLANATION
OF ATTACKS.
KAISER IGNORES WILSON DE
MAND THAT SUBMARINE AT.
TAckS MUST CEASE.
Western Newspaper Union New. Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Berlin, May 3O.-The undersigned
has the honor to submit to Ambas-
sador Gerard the following answer to
the communication of May 10, regard
Ing the injury to American interests
through German submarine warfare:
The imperial government has sub
ected the communication OF the
American government to thorough
investigation. 1t entertains a 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 Cushing 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 submarine or sub
marines. or aviators. On the contrary,
the German forces have repeatedly
been instructed most specifically to
avoid attacks on such ships.
II neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German
submarine warfare, owing to mistakes
in Identification, 1t is 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.
BILE behavior OF the masters OF the
ships.
The German government, in all
cases in which II has been shown by
Investigations that neutral ship, not
Itself at fault. was damaged by Ger.
man submarines or ayiators, has ex-
pressed regret over the unfortunate
accident, and. II justified by condi.
tions, has offered naturalization.
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 be communicated to the en-
can be supplemented by an inter.
national call on the international
commission Of inquiry. as provided by
Of October IS, 1907.
When sinking the British steamer
Balaba, the commander OF the German
submarine had the intention OF allow.
ing 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 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
were fastening TO the assistance OF
the Falnba.
Regarding the loss OF life by the
sinking OF the British passenger
steamer Lusitnnia, the German gov.
ernment 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 II first neces.
sary TO convince itself that the infor.
nation accessible TO both governments
about the facts OF the case is complet
and in accord.
The government OF the United
States proceeds on the assumption
that the Lusitania could be regarded
as an ordinary unnrmed merchantmen