Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-06-01

Washington by Ambass ador Gerard at Berlin:
 "The undt rsigned has the honor to submit to Ambas sador Gerard the l following answer to the communlca- ton of May 15 regarding the injury to American interests through Ger man submarine warfare:
 "The imperial government has subjected the com uncation of the Nmerican government to thorough | investigation and ntfrtalns keen wish to cooperate in a frank and friendly way in clearing up pos GibIe misunders standing winch may have arisen in the relations bstWeen the two governments through the events mentioned by the American government
 Attacks Mistaken. Regarding, firstly, the cases or the American steamers Cushing and Gulflight. The American embassy has already beeA informed that the German government has no intention of submitting neutral ships in the war zone, which are guilty of no hostile act, to attacks by subma~ rine or submarines or aviators. On the contrary the German forces nave repeatedly been instructed most spe- officially to avoid attacks on such ships.
 eff neutral ships in recent months have suffered through the German submarine warfare owing to mis- takes in identification, it is ques- l tion only of quite isolated and eX- ceptional cases winch can be attribut- ed to the British governments abuse of flags, together with the suspicious or culrable behavior of the masters of the ships.
 'The German government, in all cases in which it has been shown by it's investigations that neutraf ship, not itself at fault was damaged | by a German submarine or avla CTS, has expressed regret over the ur- fortunate accident and if justified by conditions, has offered indemnifica- ton.
 Regrets Cushing and Gulflight.
 "The cases of the Cushing and the Gulflight will be treated on the same principles. An investigation of both cases is in progress, the result, of which presently will be conmunicat- ed to the embassy. The investigation eau, if necessary, be supplemented ] by an international call on the inter national commission of inquiry as provided by Article Illl, of The Hague agreement of october IS, 1907.
 fWhen sinking the British steamer Falaba, the commander of the Ger man submarine had the intention of allowing the passengers and crew a full opportunity for a safe escape. Only when the master did not obey the order to heaye to, but fled and summoned help by rocket signals, did the German commander order the crew and passengers by signals and megaphones to leave the ship within 10 minutes. He actually al- lower them '23 minutes time and fired the torpedo only when suspici- ous craft were hastening to the as- sistance of the Falaba.
 "Regacding the loss of life by the sinking of the British passenger steamer Lusitania the German government has already expressed to the neutral governments concerned it's keen regret that citizens of their states lost their lives.
 Some Points Missing.
 "On this occasion the imperial government, however, cannot escape the impression that certain impor- tant facts having a decided bearing on the sinking of the Lusitania may have escaped the attention of the American government.
 Tn the interest of a clear and complete understanding which is the aim of both governments, the im- perial governm ent considers it first necessary to convince itself that the information accessible 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 Lusitania could be regarded as an ordinary unarmed merchant man. The imperial government al lows itself in this connection 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 carried d expressly as such in the navy list issued by the British Adm:a'ty.
 Arming All Merchantmen. ''It is further known to the imperi- al government from trustworthy re- ports from it's agents and neutral passengers that for considerable time practically all the more valu- able British merchantmen nave been equipped with cannon and amnuni- ton and other weapons and IT anned with persons who have been special ly trained in serving guns. The Lusi- tania, too, according to information received here. had cannon aboard, which were mounted and concealed below decks.
 "The imperial government further has the honor to direct the particu- lar atvention of lAmerican govern ment to the fact ahat British Admir- alty in confidential; ,nstru.Ilon is- sued in February, 1915, recommend ed it's mercantile shipping not only