Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-31

CATION It entertaius also keen wish
to cooperate in a frank and friendly way
In clearing UP a possible misunderstand-
ing which may have arisen In the rela-
tons between the two Governments
through the events mentioned by the
American Government.
Regarding, firstly, the cases of the
American steamers Cushing and Gulf
light. The American Embassy has al
ready been informed that the German
Government has no intention of submit
ting neutral ships In the war zone, which
are guilty of no hostile acts, to attacks
by "a submarine or submarines or avia-
tors. on tho 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 sub
marine 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 Culpabe behavior
of the masters of the ships.
"The German Government, in all
cases in which 1t has been shown by
it's Investigations that neutral ship
not itself at fault, was damaged by
German submarines or aviators, has
expressed regret over the unfortunate
accident, and, IL justified by conditions
has offered naturalization.
HAGUE APPEAL SUGGESTED.
"The cases of the Cushing and the
Gulnght will be treated on the same
principles. An investigation Of both
cases is in progress, the result of which
will presently be communicated to the
Embassy. The investigation can, IL nee
ha Sttlplan1pntp1 hN intprDg-
tional call on the international Commis
sion of Inquiry, as provided by Article
III of The Hague agreement of October
is, 1907
when sinking the British steamer
Falaba, the commander OF the German
submarine had the intention of allow
ing the passengers and crew full OPP
portunity for a safe escape. Only when
the master did not obey the order to
heave-to but fed and summoned help by
rocket signals did the German COM
mander order the crew and passengers
by signals and megaphone to leave the
ship within 10 minutes. He actually al
lowed them % minutes time and fired
the torpedo only when suspicious craft
were Fastening to the assistance of the
Falaba.
THE LUSITANIA CASE.
Regarding the loss of life by the sink
luS OF lIe bTlIISl phSselStI sledHlc'
Lusitania, the German Government has
already expressed to the neutral govern
ments concerned keen regret that citizens
of their states lost their lives.
"On this occasion the Imperial Govern
ment, however. cannot escape the i'm
preston that certain important facts hav-
ing direct bearing m the sinking of
the Lusitania may nave escaped the at
I'm the interest OF a clear and COM
plete understanding. which Is the aim OF
both Governments, the Imperial Govern
ment considers it first necessary to con-
tention of the American Government
vince itself that the information access
sible to both Governments about the facts
OF the case is complete and in accord.
THE Government OF the United States
proceeds on the assumption that the Lusi-
tauia could be regarded as an ordinary
unarmed merchantman The Imperial
Government allows itself in this connec-
tion to point out that the Lusitania was
one of the largest and fastest British
merchant ships built with Government
funds as an auxiliary cruiser and car
rled expressly as such in the navy list
issued by the British Admiralty,
CHARGE VEESEL WAS ARMED.
1T is further known to the Imperial
Government from trustworthy reports
from it's agents and neutral passengers,
that for a considerable time practically
all the more valuable British merchant
men have been equipped with cannon and
ammunition and other weapons and
manned with persons who have been spe-