Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-06-04
Germany Answers The Americas
Protest.


The German reply to the American note
after the sinking Of the Lusitania was
signed by Herr Won Jagow. the foreign
minister, at II O'Clock last Friday night
and delivered to Ambassador Gerard on
Saturday for transmission to Washington.
The note expresses Germany's regret for
injuries sustained by Americans as a
result Of submarine and aeroplaine attacks.
and offers compensation in cases in which
Germany is found to be in the wrong.
The note defers a direct answer to
the questions raised by President Wilson,
pending a further exchange of views.
Germany desires to establish whether the
Lusitania was defenseless merchant ship
or was being used for the transportation
of war munitions and soldiers, on which
unsuspectine passengers were permitted TO
take passage to safeguard the war materials.
The American representations regarding
the torpedoing of the British steamer
Falaba. in which an American citizen 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 at
tempting TO escape. however, necessitated
more summary action. Even then the
commander of the submarine granted ten
minutes for those on board to leave the
vessel, and subsequently extended the
time to 23 minutes before sinking the ship
Germany expresses regrets for 1.-The un-
intentional attacks" on the American
steamer Cushing and the Gulfiight. The
Cushing was attacked by German airmen
in the North Sea and the Gulhght was
torpedoed off Scilly Islands, Germany dis
avows any intention to attack harmless
neutral craft.
She offers to pay compensation wherever
she is found to be in the wrong and tC
refer doubtful cases TO The Hague for q
decision.
The passages in the American note con.
corning possible disavowal by Germany
of intent to sink the Lusitania and the
discontinuance Of her present practice Of
submarine warfare are not mentioned
specifically in the reply. The note states
that pending the reply of the American
government to the German assumptions
Of facts regarding the real character Of
the Lusitania and her cargo no attempt
will be made to answer the demands con-
tanned in the American communication
These assumptions Of fact are as follows
The Lusitania was built as an auxiliary
cruiser, subsidized and carried on the navy
lists as such. She carried, according to
German information. two guns mounted
and concealed below decks.
British steamers sailing from New York.
according TO information received from
passengers and other sources, repeatedly
carried soldiers, artillery, war supplies and
contraband to England, the Lusitania on
this trip carrying specifically $500 cases
of ammunition in addition to other war
supplies and Canadian troops en- route to
the front
Reference is here made TO the fact that
carrying explosives on passenger steamers
is contrary to American law II is init
mated that the German government would
be glad to receive information as to how
il happened that ammunition was permit
ted to be shipped on the Lusitania. ves-
sci crowded with passengers
Strong phrases are used regarding what