The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-06-03
As Forecast In Saturdays Dis
patches Berlin Government
First Seeks Agreement on
"BaSiS of Fact"
HOLDS BRITAIN TO BLAME
Want Assurances That Lusi-
tania Was Unarmed and ALI
Precautions Taken to
Save Passengers.
HOLDS BRITAIN TO BLAME

I~A III buAAC a lOI tGdSl III q
urday's dispatches, the German reply
70 the American note on the sinking
Or n Lusttania and the conduct of the
German submarine warfare in general
eyades the main issue OF President VIII
sons representations. The German re-
points raised by the American govern
ment.
On the other hand ii seeks to "estab-
fish a common basis Of fact" before
continuing a discussion OF the issues in
volved. The German government with
holds final decision on these particular
demands, especially the disa vowal Of
an intention to sink the Lusitania and
the discontinuance Of submarine at
tacks upon vessels Of any nationality
carrying acknowledgements and passen-
gers OF neutral nationalities.
In its reply the German government
with respect to the Lusitania urges its
self defense In that II alleges that the
Lusltania was carrying war munitions
for the destruction of the German SOL
diers.
These facts as set forth In the Ger
man answer are that the Lusitania was
a British auxiliary cruiser: hat she
had cannon mounted and concealed be-
low her decks; that the British ad-
miralty had instructed it's mercantile
shipping to seek protection under neu-
trail flagS and to attack German subma-
rines; that prizes were offered for the
latter: that the Lusitania carried Ca
madam troops n war material, and
that she could not be considered as I'M
defended.
Supplementing the German answer
Herr Won JagOw, the German foreign
secretary, explains the reason for what
might be called a preliminary note say
Ing. the issues involved are Of such
Importance. n views in regard to the
Il nj .EhnWW= nNNnI WAa 4L-A Al
German government believed Ii essen
tia to establish a common basis OF fact
before entering into a discussion OF the
issues involved"
Text of German Note.
The following is the text OF the Ger
man note:
The undersigned has the honor to
submit to Ambassador Gerard the fol-
lowing answer to the communication
OF May 5, regarding the injury Of
American interests through German
submarine warfare.
The imperial German government
has subjected the communication OF
the American government to a thor
Ough investigation. 1t e%ntertains also
a keen wish to cooperate in a frank
and friendly way in clearing up a
possible misunderstanding which may
nave arisen in the relations between
NAAt wv lAbuE AAN
events mentioned by the American
government, regarding. first, the cases
OF the American steamers, Gushing
and Outright. The American en-
bassy has already been informed that
the German government has no in
~tention of submitting neutral ships in
the war zon which are guilty Of no
hostile acts. to attacks by a subma-
Cine or submarines. or aViators. On
the contrary, the German forces have
repeatedly been instructed most spe-
officially to avoid attackS on such
ships.
"If neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German
submarine warfare. owing to mistakes
in identification. It Is a question only
OF quite isolated and exceptional cases,
which can be attributed to the Brit
lsh governments abuse OF flags, to-
gether with the suspicious or culpa-
ships.
The German government in all
cases N which it has been shown by
Its Investigations that a neutral ship
not itself at fault, was damaged by
German submarines or av%iators, has
expressed regret over the unfortunate
accident. and. II justified by condi-
tons, has offered decentralization.
The cases OF the Gushing and the
Gulflight will be treated on the same
principles. An investigation OF both
cases is in progress. the result OF which
will be presumably communicated to
the embassy. The investigation, can II
necessary, be supplemented by an inter
national call on the international com
mission Of inquiry provided in article
III OF The Hague agreement Of October
Is, 1907.
Cites Alleged British Faults.
Nrrhn fn,rarfaI rnNynr-NaanE F,,rth,r
has the honor to direct the particular
attention of the American government
to the fact that the British admiralty
in a confidential instruction issued in
February, 1915, recommended it's mer-
camille shipping not only to seek pro-
lection under neutral flags and distin-
gushing marks, but also while thus
disguised to attack German submarines
by ramming. AS a special inducement
for merchants to destroy submarines,
he British government also offered
high prizes and has already paid such
rewards.
The imperial government, In view Of
these facts, Individually known to 1t. Is
unable to regard British merchantmen
in the zone of naval operations speci-
fled by the admiralty staff OF the Ger
man navy as 'undefended.' German
commanders consequently are no long
er able to observe the customary regu-
lations OF the prize law, which they
before always followed.
FINALLY, the imperial government
must point out particularly that the
Lusitania on its last trip, as on earlier
OCCASIONS, carried Canadian troops and
war material, including no less tina
5,40o cases Of ammunition intended for
the destruction Of the brave German
soldiers who are fulfilling their duty
with self sacrifices and devotion in
the fatherland,S service,
1.-THE German government believed
that it is acting in justified self de-
Tense in seeking. with all the
Of warfare at It's disposal. to protect
the lives of it's soldiers by destroying
ammunition intended for the enemy.