The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-02
Full Text Of Germany's Note
To The United States
fRy Associated Press

tps sSSONlaNCo 1891
Washington, June 1.-The full
text of he German note in answer to
President Wilson'S message on the
sinking of the Lusitania follows:
The undersigned has the honor
to submit to Ambassador Gerard the
following answeh to the communi-
cation of May 3, regarding the in
jury to American interest through
German submarine warfare.
THE imperial government has
subjected the communication Of the
American government to thorough
investigation
1T entertains also keen wish to CO.
operate in frank and friendly way
in clearing up a possible misunder-
standing which may have arisen in
the relations between the two gov
ernments through the events men
toned by the American government.
Regarding, firstly, the cases OF
the American steamers Cushing and
Gulfight. The American embassy
has already been informed that the
German government has no intention
of submitting neutral ships in the
war zone, which are guilty of no
hostile acts, to attacks by subma-
rine or submarines or aviators. On
the contrary, the German forces
have repeatedly been instructed most
specifically to avoid attacks on such
ships.
IF neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German
submarine warfare, owing to mis-
takes in identification, it is ques-
ton only of quite isolated and eX-
ceptional cases, which can be attrib-
uted to the British government
abuse of flags, together with the sus-
picious or culpable behavior of the
masters of the ships.
1.-The German government, in all
cases in which it has been shown
by it's Investigations, that a neutral
ship, not itself at fault, was dam
aged by German submarines or avia
tors, has expressed regret over the
unfortunate accident and, if justi
fed by conditions, has offered in
Identification
THE cases of the Cushing and thu
Gulflight will be treated on the SAM
principles. An investigation of boil
cases is in progress, the result o
which will presently be communicat
ed to the embassy. The investiga
ton, can, if necessary, be supple
mented by an international call OF
the internatioal commission of in
ternational commission of inquiry a
provided by. article III of The Hagu
agreement of Oct. IS, 1907.
when sinking the British steam
er Falaba, the commander of tn
German submarine had the inten
ton Of allowing the passengers an
crew a full opportunity for safe es
cape. Only when the master did nc
obey the order to heave to, but f1e
and summoned help by rocket sis
nails, did the German commander OF
der the crew and passengers by sig
nails and megaphone to leave tn
shin within ten minutes. He actu
ally allowed them twenty-three min
utes' time and fired the torpedo onl
when suspicious craft were hasten
ing to the assistance Of the Falaba.
Regarding the loss of life by tn
sinking of the British passenge
steamer Lusitania, the German gov
eminent has already expressed to tn
neutral governments concerned II
keen regret that citizens of thei
States lost their lives.
ION this occasion, the imperis
government, however, cannot escap
the impression that certain impol
tant facts bearing on the sinking
the Lusitania may have escaped til
attention of the American govern
ment.
I'm the interest of a clear an
complete understanding, which
the aim of both governments, tt
imperial government considers
first necessary to convince itse
that the information accessible
both governments about the facts
the case is complete and in accord
The government of the United Stat
proceeds on the assumption that Il
Lusitania could be regarded as
ordinary unarmed merchantmen
The imperial government allows
self in this connection to point O
that the Lusitania was one of Il
largest and fastest British mercha
ships, built with government fun
as an auxiliary cruiser and carri'
expressly as such in the navy Il
issued by the British admiralty.
at is further known to the il
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