Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-06-04
GERMANY DEFENDS
SINKING LUSITANlA
DECLARES IT WAS AN ACT OF
SELF DEFENSE TO PROTECT
LIVES OF HER SOLDIERS.
Berlin Note Says Germany Has No
lntsatlon to submlt Neutral Ships
In the War Zone TO Attacks
by Submarines.

py SUBMARINES.
.A
washington. Germany's reply to
the American note concerning the
sinking of the Lusitania with loss
of more than 100 American lives, has
produced a feeling Of profound disap-
pointment here.
Germany withholds its final decision
on the demands advanced by the Unit
ed States government in connection
with the sinking of the Lusitania, I'M
til the receipt of an answer from the
United States to the note which Herr
Won Jagow, the foreign minister, has
delivered to Ambassador Gerard In re-
ply to the American note received by
the German government on May 10.
In its reply the German government
declares that 1t is not its intention to
submit neutral ships in the war zone.
which are guilty OF no hostile acts to
attacks by submarines or aeroplaness
that it is investigating the circum-
stances in connection with the attacks
on the American steamers Gushing
and Gulfight, and that in all cases
where neutral vessels, through no
fault of their own, have been dam
aged, Germany will pay indemnifca-
ton.
The reply urges that in the case Of
the Lusitania, which Germany alleges
was armed and carried large stores
of war munitions, 1t was acting in
justified self-defense In seeking with
all the means of warfare at its dis
position to protect the lives OF its sol
diers by destroying ammunition In
tended for the enemy"
The German government recalls the
proposals submitted by the United
States government to Berlin and Lon
don, designed to end the submarine
warfare aRd the shutting out of food
supplies from Germany, which, 1t de
clares, failed OF their purpose be
cause of the refusal of the British
government to agree to them.
President Wilson had retired early
Sunday night, before the text arrived
but from a reading of the summary
published Sunday and Ambassador
Gerard's forecasts he had an accurate
Impression of what 1t contained. Sec
rotary Bryan would make no com
ment. Other cabinet officers were re
ticent, but there was little conceal
naent anywhere that the answer from
Berlin had produced grave situation
in the relations between the United
States and Germany. Just what cours,
of action the United States viii pur
sue is undetermined.
The following is the text of tn.
German note:
The undersigned has the honor II
submit to Ambassador Gerard the fol
lowing answer to the communication
OF May Is regarding. the injury t
American interests through German
submarine warfare:
The imperial government has sub
Jected the communication of thu
American government to a thorough
investigation 1t entertains also
keen wish to cooperate In a franl
and friendly way In clearing up pos
sible Misunderstanding which ma,
nave arisen in the relations between
the two governments through tn
events mentioned by the America
government. Regarding, firstly. tn
cases Of the American steamers Gust
dng and Gulfiight. The American en-
bassy has already been informed tina
the German government has no il
tention of submitting neutral shin
IN the war zone, which are guilty Q
no hostile acts, to attacks by a sui
marine or submarines, or aviators. o
the contrary, the German forces hav
repeatedly been instructed most spec
hcally to avoid attacks on such ship
Sees cuIpabIe Behavior.
IF neutral ships in recent month
have suffered through the Germa
submarine warfare, owing to mistake
in Identification, it is a question onl
of quite isolated and exceptional case
which can be attributed to the Bri
ish governments abuse OF flags, /,
8e.her with the suspicious or culpabl
Oehavior OF the masters of the ship
THE German government, In q
cases In which 1t has been shown b
its investigations that a neutral shiI
not itself at fault, was damaged b
German submarines or aViators, hs
expressed regret over the unfortunat
accident, and, IL justified by cond
lions, has offered naturalization.
The cases of the Cushing and I'll
Gulfdght will be treated on the SAN
principles. An investigation of bot
cases Is in progress, the result
which will presently be commun
Gated to the embassy. The investig
tion can, If necessary, be supplement
ed by an international call on the /
ternationai comaaission of inquiry
provided by Article III of The HagI
agreement of October 18, 1907.
When sinking the British steam,
Falaba, the commander OF the &c
man submarine had the intention
ALLOWING the passengers and crew
full opportunity for a safe escap
Only when the master did not OBJ.