, 1915-06-03
NOTE
TO DEMAND OF UNITED
STATES FOR EXPLANATION
OF ATTACKS.
IGNORES WILSON DE.
MANo THAT SUBMARINE AT
TAcKs MUST CEASE.

EASTERN Newspaper Union News Service.
Berlin, May 30.-The undersigned
as the honor to submit to Ambas-
sdor Gerard the following answer to
ae communication Of May Is, regard
az the injury to American interests
hrough German submarine warfare:
The imperial government has sub
scted the communication of the
american government to a thorough
~uyestigation. 1t entertains a keen
gish to cooperate in a frank and
Erendly way in clearing up a possible
understanding which may have
risen in the relations between the
[To governments through the events
uentioned by the American govern.
nent.
Regarding, firstly, the cases of the
american steamers Gushing and Gulf
gght. The American embassy has
Lready been informed that the Ger.
ran government has no intention Of
nbmitting neutral ships in the war
bone which + guilty of no hostile
bets, to attacks by a submarine or SUBJ
BARNES, or aviators. On the contrary,
he German forces have repeatedly
been instructed most specifically to
broid attacks on such ships.
II neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German
ubmarine warfare, owing to mistakes
b Identification, it is a question only
b quite isolated and exceptional
bases, which can be attributed to the
British governments abuse of flags,
logether with the suspicious or culpa-
BE behavior of the masters of the
hips.
The German government, in all
ases in which 1t has been shown BY
nvestigations that a neutral ship, not
self at fault, was damaged by Ger
ban submarines or a%viators, has ex-
tressed regret yer the unfortunate
%ecident, and, If justified by condi.
ions. has offered naturalization.
The cases of the Cushing and Gulf
light will be treated on the same prin-
iples. An investigation of both cases
in progress, the result of which will
PRESENTLY be communicated to the en-
ban be supplemented by an inter
%ational call on the international
@mission of inquiry, as provided by
|rticle III of The Hague agreement
October IS, 1907.
When sinking the British steamer
Falaba, the commander of the German
lbmarine had the intention of allow
|lg the passengers and crew a full
1~ppOrtunity for a safe escape. Only
hen the master did not obey the
rider to heave to, but fled and sum-
Eoned help by rocket signals, did the
German commander order the crew
md passengers by signals and mega
bones to leave the ship within ten
%linutes. He actually allowed them
lventy-three minutes time, and fired
(he torpedo only when suspicious craft
fere fastening to the assistance OF
be Falaba.
Regarding the loss Of life by the
linking of the British passenger
teamer Lusitania, the German gov
mment has already expressed to the
feutral governments concerned its
teen regrets that citizens of their
|tates lost their lives.
On this occasion. the imperial gov
rnment, however, cannot escape the
npression that certain important
acts having a direct bearing on the
mixing OF the Lusitania may have es-
|aped the attention of the American
3overnment.
In the interest of a clear and COM
flete understanding. which is the aim
both governments, the imperial
foyernment considers it first neces-
ary to convince itself that the infor-
patton accessible to both governments
bout the facts of the Ease is complete
md in accord.
The government of the United
ftates proceeds on the assumption
nat the Lusitania could be regarded
; an ordinary unarmed merchantmen.