Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-16
GREAT BRITAIN APOLOGIES
FOR SINKING OF DRESDEN
German Cruiser Attacked in Chilean
Waters After Internment Had
Been Ordered.
VIGOROUS PROTEST BY CHILE
Government Painfully Surprised by
Act of Hostility, Which Bears Evil
denceS OF Contempt for Rights.
English Regret Not Qualified.

LONDON April 15.-G'eat Britain
has offered "a full and ample apology"
to the Chilean government for tho
sinking on March II IN Chilean terri
torial waters OF the German cruiser
Dresden, the internment OF which al
| ready had been ordered by the mari
time governor OF Cumberland Bay,
when the British squadron attacked
| and sank the German.
This fact was made public tonight
In white paper giving the texts OF
the Chilean note protesting against
the sinking OF the Dresden. and the
British reply.
The note delivered by the Chilean
minister to Great Britain says that
the Dresden anchored in Cumberland
Bay (Juan Fernandez Island) March
.. and asked permission to remain
eight days for the purpose of repair
ing her engines The governor re-
fused the request, as he considered 1t
unfoundcd, and ordered the captain to
leave within twcnty-four hours
AS the order was not complied with,
the captain of the Dresden WAS in
formed that his ship was interned
When the British squadron appeared
on March II, the governor was pro-
cccding to the cruiser Glasgow to in
form the British officers OF the steps
he had taken, hut he had to turn back,
as the British ships opened fire on
the Dresden. on which flag of truce
already had been hoistcd and called
on her captain to surrender.
The captain then gave orders to blow
up the magazine OF the Dresden
This act of hostility committed in
Chilean territorial waters by a British
naval squadron" says the Chilean min
lister. has painfully surprised my gov
ernment."
Continuing, tho minister says that
had the officer in command OF tho Brit
ish squadron received the governor
and been Informed that the Dresden
was interned. he was convinced the
British commander would not have
opened fire on her. and brought about
situation which constrains the
Chilean government in defense of its
sovereign rights 10 formulate a most
energetic protest"
After referring to the hospitality
shown British ships in Chilean waters
ana To the long friendship bet .!een the
two peoples. the minister says:
Nothing could be more painful
surprise to us than to see our ex-
act which bears, unfortunately, all
tho evidences of contempt for our SOW
ereisn rights, although II is probable
mat nothing was farther from the
mind of those by whom it was un
thinkinIly committed"
The British government replying
expresses regret that Il misunderstand-
ing arose. and adds:
ON the facts as stated in the COM
rnunication OF the Chilean minister. the
BRITISH government is prepared to offer
full and ample apology TO the Chilean
government"
1t Is, however. pointed out that. ac-
cord!ng To the Rriiish information. the
Dresden had not accepted intcrnmeut.
and still had her colors flying and her
guns trained"
The British reply continues; "If
this Is so. and If there were no mc,ns
available for enforcing the decision OF
the Chilean authorities 10 intern the
Dresden. she might. obviously. had not
the british ships taken action. hav,
escaped again to attack British com
mcrcc."
1t Is added: The captain OF the
GLASGOW probably assumed especially
III view or the past action. OF the Dres-
den. that she was defyins the Chilean
authorities and abusing Chilean neu-
trality. and was only waiting for n
favorable opportunity to sally out and
attack British commerce again.
In view OF the time IL would take
to clear up the circumstances and be-
cause Of the Chilean communication.
the British government do not wish
to qualify tho apology that they now
present to the Chilean government"