Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1915-06-04

an answer from the United States to
the note which Herr Won Jagow, the
foreign minister, has delivered to AM
bassador Gerard, in reply to the
American note received by the Ger
man government on May Is.
In it's reply, the German govern
ment declares that it is not its inten-
ton to submit neutral ships in the war
zone, which are guilty of no hostile
acts, to attacks by submarines or aero
planes; that it is investigating the
circumstances 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 damaged. Germany will pay in
demnifications
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 JUS
titled self-defense in seeking with all
the of warfare at it's DISPOSE
ton to protect the lives of it's soldiers
by destroying ammunition intended for
the enemy"
h German government recalls the
proposals submitted by the United
States government to Berlin and Lon
don, designed to end the submarine
warfare and the shutting out of food
supplies from Germany, which, it de-
clared, failed of their purpose because
nf fho rofI,Co1 1f fho D,;t;ob rro,a.,~
ment to agree to them.
Text of German Reply.
Berlin, via London, May 3l.-The
following is the text of the German
reply to the note of the United States
government:
THE undersigned has the honor to
submit to ambassador Gerard the fol-
lowing answer to the communication
of May Is regarding the injury to
American interest through German
submarine warfare:
THE Imperial government has sub
jected the communication of the
American government to a thorough
investigation. 1t entertains also a
keen wish to cooperate in a frank and
friendly way in clearing UP a possible
misunderstanding which may have
arisen in the relations between the
two governments through the events
mentioned by the American govern
ment.
To Avoid Attacks on Neutrals.
Regarding, firstly, the cases of the
American steamers Gushing and Gulf
light. The American embassy has al
ready 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 attacks by a submarine or SUBJ
marines or aviators. On the contrary,
the German forces have repeatedly
been instructed most specifically to
avoid attacks on such ships.
IF neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German SUBJ
marine warfare, owing to mistakes in
Identification, it is a question only of
quite isolated and exceptional cases,
governments abuse of flags, together
with the suspicious or culpable be-
havior of the masters of the ships.
Expresses Deep Regret.
"The German government in all
cases in which it has been shown by
its Investigations that a neutral ship,
not itself at fault, was damaged by
German submarines or aviators, has
expressed regret owe the unfortunate
accident, and, if justified by conditions
has offered indemnification.
"The cases of the Gushing and the
Gulfight will be treated on the same
principles. An investigation of both
cases is in progress, the result of
which will presently be communicate
ed to the embassy. The investiga-
ton, if necessary, will be supplement-
ed by an international call on the in
ternational commission of inquiry, as
provided by Article III of The Hague
agreement of October 10, 1907.
Sinking of the FaIaba.
'When sinking the British steamer
Falaba, the commander of the Ger.
mar submarine had the intention OF
allowing the passengers and crew a
full opportunity for a safe escape
Only when the master did not obey
the order to heave-to, but fed and
summoned help by rocket signals, die
the German commander order the
crew and passengers by signals an6
megaphones to leave the ship within
ten minutes. He actually allowed then
% minutes time. and fired the torped(
only when suspicious craft were hast
ening to the assistance of the Falaba
Regarding the Lusitania.
Regarding the loss of life by The
sinking of the British passenger
steamer Lusitania, the German gov
eminent has already expressed to thu
neutral governments concerned 1T
keen regret that citizens of their state
lost their lives.