New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-16
DRESDEN SINKING
BRINGS TO CHILL
BRITISH APOLOGY
Too Much Time Would Be
Required to Clear Up
Facts, Says London.
GLASGOW FIRED ON
TRUCE FLAG, CHARGE
South American Nation Makes
Protest Against Attack in
Territorial Waters.

London, April 15-The British gov
eminent has offered "a full and ample
apology" TO the Chilian government for
the sinking on March Il in Gillian
territorial waters of the German
cruiser Dresden. the internment of
which had already been ordered by the
maritime governor of Cumberland Bay
when the British squadron attacked and
sank her.
This fact was made public tonight
in a White Paper. giving the texts Of
the CHILEAN note protesting against the
sinking Of the Dresden and the British
governments reply.
The note delivered by the Gillian
Minister to Great Britain says that the
Dresden anchored in Cumberland Bay
tJuan Fernandez island March ~, and
asked permission 10 remain eight days
for the purpose of repairing her engines,
which were said TO be out of order.
Thu governor refused the request, as
he considered il unfounded, and or
dered the captain to leave the bay
within twenty-four hours.
Flag of Truce HOistcd.
As the order was not complied with,
the captain of the Dresden was in
formed that is ship was informed.
When the British squadron appeared
On March II, the Governor vas proceed
ing TO the cruiser Glasgow to inform
the British officers Of the steps he h. d
taken, but he had to Turn back, as the
British ships opened fire on the Ores
den, on which flag Of truce had al
ready been hoistcd, and called on her
captain to surrender. The captain then
e.. Q orders to blow up the magazine
of the Dresden.
"Th.s act Of hostility committed in
Gillian territorial waters by British
naval squadron says the Gillian min
lister, "has painfully surprised my gov
eminent"
Continuing, the minister says that,
had the officer in command of tn
British squadron received the Governor
and been informed that the Dresd l
was internod, he was convinced, "The
British commander would not have
opened fire on her and brought about
situation which constrains the Chill
ian government in defence of its sover-
eign rights to formulate most ener-
tic protest"
Surprise TO Chill.
After referring to the hospitality
shown British ships in CHILEAN waters
and to the long friendship between the
two peoples, the minister says:
Nothing could be more painful
surprise to us than to see our ex-
tremely cordial attitude repaid by an
act which bears. unfortunately, all the
evidences Of contempt for our sovereign
rights, although it is probable that
nothing was further from the minds of
those by whom it was unthinkingly
committed"
The British government in its reply
espresso regret that misunderstand-
ing arose, and adds: "On the facts
as stated in the communication of the
CHILEAN Minister, the British govern
ment is prepared to offer full and
ample apology to the CHILEAN govern
ment." 1t is, however, pointed out
that according to the British informa-
ton, the Dresden chad not accepted
internment, and still had her colors fly
ing ard her guns trained" The British
reply continues:
Captains Act Explained.
Tf this is so, and if there were no
means aNallable Tor enforcing the de-
cision of the Gillian authorities to in
tern the Dresden, she might obviously,
had not the British ships taken action,
have escaped again to attack British
commerce.
"The captain of the Glasgow prob
ably assumed. especially in view of the
past action Of the Dresden, that she
was defying the CHILEAN authorities
1 u. .
only waiting for favorable oppor-
tunity TO sally out and attack British
commerce again.
ain view of the time it would take
to clear up the circumstances and be-
cause Of the Gillian communication
the British government do not wish to
qualify the apology that they now pre-
sent to the CHILEAN government"