Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-16
Great Britain Sends
Apology TO Chile
FOR SINKING THE DRESDEN IN
GILLIAN WATERS
MISUNDERSTANDING
British Believed Dresden Was Not In
termed Because She Had Her Colors
Flying and Her Guns Trained
Apology is Unqualified.

LONDON, April 10. o.oo p III! ne
British government has offered a full
and ample apology" to the Chilean gov
ernment for the sinking on March II,
in Chilean territorial waters, of the
German cruiser Dresden, the intern
ment of which had already been order
ed by the maritime governor of Cum
berland 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 notes protesting against
the sinking of the Dresden and the
British governments reply.
Chile Regarded Dresden as lnterned.
The note delivered by the Chilean
minister to Great Britain says that
Bay (Juan Fernandez 1Sland) March
9th and asked permission to remain
eight days for the. purpose of repairing
her engines, which were said to be out
Of order. The governor refused the
request as he considered it unfounded,
and ordered the captain to leave the
bay within "a 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 Ia the governor was proceed
ing to the cruiser Glasgow to inform
the British officers of the steps he had
taken, but he had to turn back, as the
British ships opened fire on the Dres-
den, on which a flag of truce had al
ready been hoisted. and called on heI
captain to surrender. The captain
then gave orders to blow up the mag
azine of the Dresden.
Act of Hostility.
This act of hostility committed In
Chilean territorial waters by a British
naval squadron says the Chilean min
ernment."
Continuing, the minister says tha
had the officer in command of the
British squadron received the cover.
nor and been informed that the Dres
den 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 to formulate a most energeti,
protest.
Painful Surprise.
After referring to the hospitalit,
shown British ships in Chilean water
| and to the long friendships between Il
| TWO peoples, the minister says:
Nothing could be a more painful
| surprise to US than to see our extreme
ly cordial attitude repaid by an ac
which bears unfortunately all the evi
| dences OF contempt for our sovereie,
L
| nothing was further from the minds O
tnose by whom it was committed
Great Britain Regrets.
| The British government in it's repl
| expresses regret that a misunderstood
| ing arose and adds:
! On the facts as stated in the com
munication Of the Chilean minister. tn
| British government is prepared to offe
a full and ample apology to the Chilea
| government"
| 1t is. however, pointed out that ac
cordlng to the British information tn
dresden had not accepted internmen
| ana still had her colors flying and he
guns trained"
Feared Dresden Might Escape.
The British reply continues:
IL this is SO, and if there were n
means available for enforcing the de
cls1on Of the Chilean authorities to in
tern the Dresden, she might obyiousl,
had not the British ships taken actioi
nave escaped. again to attack Britis
commerce."
It is added:
The captain of the Glasgow proba
oiy assumed, especially in view of IN
past action of the Dresden, that sll
was derylng the Chilean authorize
ana abusing Chilean neutrality. an
was only waiting for a favorabIe M ~
Portunity to sally out and attae
British commerce again.
In view Of the time It would tai
to clear up the circumstances. ana he
cause OF the Chilean communfcatio1
the British government does not wis
| TO qualify the apology that thew no.
present to the Chilean government -