The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1915-06-02

bcIlnHuS lCnlulhe'. ~ tnc Amcr1:
can Note until Questions OF Fact as
Regarding True status OF LuSi;anin
are Established.
Berlin, May 29.-Thc German re-
ply to the American note after the
sinking of the LuSitania was signed
by Herr Won Jagow the foreign min
lister, at II o'clock last night and de-
livered to Ambassador Gerard this
morning for transmission 70 Wash
ington.
The note expresses Germany's re-
gret for injuries sustained by Ameri-
cans as result OF submarine and
aeroplane attacks, and offers COM
rensaton in cases in which Ga. many
is found to be in the wrong.
AS indicated previously in these
dispatches, the note defers direct
answer to the questions raised by
President Wilson pending further
exchange Of views. Germany desires
to establish whether the Lustania
was dcfcnseless merchant ship or
ton of war munition and soldiers, on
which unsuspecting passengers were
permitted to take passage to safe
guard the materials. The American
representations regarding the tor
pedoing Of the British steamer Falaba
in which an American lost his life are
answered with the statement that it
was intended to offer ample time for
the passengers and crew to leave the
ship. The action Of the captain in
attempting to escape, however, neces-
STATED more summary action. Even
then the commander Of the submarine
granted ten minutes for those on
board to leave the vessel and subse
qucntly extended the time to 23 min
utes before sinking the ship.
Germany expresses regrets for "the
unintentional attacks" on the Amcri-
can steamer Cushing and the Gulf
light. The Cushing was attacked by
German airmen in the North sea and
the Gulflight was torpedoed off Scilly
islands. Germany dsavows any in
tention to attack harmless neutral
craft. She offers to pay compensation
wherever she is found to be in the
wrong, and to refer doubtful cases to
The Hague for decision.
The passages in the American note
concerning possible dsavowal by
Germany Of intent to sink the Lusi-
tania and the discontinuance of her
present practices Of submarine war
fare are not mentioned specifically in
the reply. The note states that pend
ing the reply Of the American gov
ernment to the German assumptions
of facts regarding the real character
Of the Lusitania and her cargo no at
tempt Will be made to answer the de-
mands contained in the American
communication.
These assumptions Of fact arc as
follows:
The I.nsitania was built as an aux
iliary cruiser, subsidized and carried
on the navy lists as such. She car
RED, according to German informa-
ton, two guns mounted and concealed
below decks.
The British steamer sailed from
New York according to information
from passengers and other sources,
carrying soldiers. artillery, war sup
plies and contraband to England, the
Lnsitania on this trip carrying spc-
clfcnlly 5i0O cases OF ammi,riticn IN
addition to other war supplies and
Canadian troops en- route to the
front.
Reference is here made to the fac,
that carrying explosives on ia#&Cn-
ger steamers is contrary to American
law. 1t Is intimated that the German
government would be glad to receive
information as to how 1t happened
that ammunition was permitted 10 be
shipped on tho Lusitania and the yes
sci crowded with passengers. Strong
phrases are used regarding what 10
considered apparently deliberate poll
cy Of British shipping companies to
protect war shipments By ombar!!nS
American passengers on the same
ship. Germany contends 1t Is impos-
sible to settle the question whether
proper opportunity was given to place
tho paceopuoro ona crouy l., .oeoty