The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-06-03
Germany Refuses Final Answer

berlin.-Germany withholds it's final
decision on the demands advanced by
the United States Government in con.
nection with the sinking of the Lusi.
tahla, until the receipt of an answer
trom the United States, to the note
"hlch Herr Won Jagow, the Foreign
Minister, has delivered to Ambassador
Gerard In reply to the American note
received by the German Government
on May 15
| In Its reply the German Government
declares that 1t is not It's intention to
| submit neutral ships in the war zone,
which are guilty Of no hostile acts, to
attacks by submarine or aeroplanes,
that 1t is investigating the circum-
stances In connection with the attacks
on the American steamers Cushing
and Gulfight and that in all cases
where neutral vessels, through no
fault of their own have been dam
aged, Germany will pay indemnifica-
tion.
The reply urges that in the case Of
the Lusitania, which Germany alleges,
was armed and carried large stores of
war munitions 1T acted in justified
self-defense In seeking with all the
means of warfare at its disposition to
protect the lives of it's soldiers by de-
stroying ammunition intended for the
enemy"
The German Government recalls the
proposals submitted by the United
State Government to Berlin and Lon
don, designed to end the submarine
warfare and the shutting out OF food
supplies from Germany which, it de-
clares, failed Of their purpose because
OF the refusal Of the British Govern
E.ent to agree to them
Text OF Note.
The following is the text Of the Ger
man note:
"The undersigned has the honor to
submit to Ambassador Gerard, the
following answer to the communica-
ton Of May Is, regarding the injury
TO American interests through Ger
man submarine warfare.
"The Imperial Government has sub.
1ected the communication Of the AM
erican Government to thorough in
wish to cooperate in frank and
friendly way In clearing up possible
misunderstanding which may have
arisen In the relations between the
two Governments through the events
mentioned by the American Govern
ment
Regarding, firstly, the case Of the
American steamers Cushing and Gulf,
light. The American Embassy has
already been informed that the Ger
man Government has no intention of
submitting neutral ships in the war
zone, which are guilty of no hostile
acts, to attack by a submarine or
submarines or aviators. On the con-
trary, the German forces have repeat
edly been instructed most specifically
| to avoid attacks on such ships.
Isolated Cases.
"If neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German
submarine warfare, owing to mistakes
In identification, 1t Is question only
Of quite isolated and exceptional cases,
which can be attributed to the British
Governments abuse of flags. together
with the suspicious or culpable be-
havior Of the masters Of the ships.
"The German Government In all
cases in which 1t has been shown by
its Investigations that neutral ship,
not itself at fault, was damaged by
German submarines or aviators. has
expressed regret over the unfortunate
accident and, IL justified by conditions,
has offered indemnification.
Cushing and GuIfIIlght.
"The cases of the Cushing and Gulf
light will be treated on the same prin-
ciples. An Investigation of both cases
is In progress, the result Of which will
presently be communicated to the
Embassy. The investigation can, If
necessary, be supplemented by an in
ternational call on the international
commission Of inquiry as provided by
Article III of The Hague agreement OF
| October 18, 1907.
Sinking Of FaIaba.
"When sinking the British steamer
| Falaba the commander Of the German
submarine had the intention Of allow.
| Ing the passengers and crew full
| opportunity to escape. Only when the
| master did not obey the order to
|
heave,to, but fed and summoned help
by rocket signals, did the German
| commander order the crew and pas.
sengers by signals and magaphone to
| leave the ship within 10 minutes. He
actually allowed them 23 minutes time
and fred the torpedo only when sus-
picious craft were hastending to the
| assistance OF the Falaba.
LusltanIa Disaster.
Regarding the loss Of life by the
! sinking Of the British passenger
steamer Lusitania, the German Gov
ernment has already expressed to the
neutral Governments concerned It's
keen regret that citizens Of their
states lost their lives.
con this occasion the Imperial Gov.
| ornment, however, cannot escape tho
Mr. david T ncI;o Nood ND