Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-06-01

Berlin May 81 - Germany withholds its final
decision on the demands advanced by the United
States government in connection with the sinking OF
the Lustania until the receipt of answer from the
United States to the note which Herr Jagow, the
foreign minister, has delivered to Ambassador Gerard
in reply the American note received by the German
government on May 15
TEXT OF GERMAN NOTE
The following is Ssase text of the German note.
which was made public here Sunday:
"The undersigned has the honor to submit to
Ambassador Gerard the following answer to the COM
muncation Of May is regarding the injury to Ameri-
interests through German submarine warfare:
"The peral government has subjected the COM
muncation of the American government to thorough
Investigation 1t entertains also keen wish to CO.
operate 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 government.
CUSHING AND GuLFLIGHT CASES
Regarding. firstly, the case Of the American
bassy has already been informed that the German
government has intention of submitting neutral
ships in the war zone which are guilty OF no hostile
acts, to attacks by submarine or submarines or
aviators.
"on the contrary, the German forces have
peatedy been instructed most specifically to avoid
attacks such ships
IF neutral ships in recent months have suffered
through the German submarine warfare owing to mis-
takes in Identification 1t is question only of quite
isolated and exceptional cases. which be attributed
to the British governments abuse of flags together
with the suspicious cupable behavior Of the
Of the ships.
WILL SETTLE LOSSES OF NEUrRALs
.The German government, in all in which
been shown by its Investigations that neutral
ship not itself at fault, damaged by German sub
marines or aviators has expressed regret over the
unfortunate accident and II justified by conditions,
has offered decentralization
"The cases of the Gushing and the Gufght will
be treated on the same principles. An investigation
of both is in progress the result OF which will
presently be communicated to the embassy The IN
vestigaton il necessary be supplemented by an
international call the international commission of
inquiry as provided by article three of The Hague
agreement Of October 1S, 1907
OFFERED SAFETY TO FALA7A
"When sinking the British steamer Falaba the
commander Of the German submarine had the inten-
tion of allowing the passengers and full oppor
tunity for a safe escape
"Only when the master did not obey the order
to heave to- but fled and summoned help by rocket
signals, did the German commander order the crew
and passengers by signals and megaphones to leave
the ship within ten minutes He actually allowed them
twenty-three minutes time, and fired the torpedo only
when suspicious craft Fastening to the assist
of the Faaba.
REGRET LUsITANIA LOSS OF LIFE
Regarding the loss of life by the sinking Of the
British passenger steamer Lusitana, the German
ernment has already expressed the neutral gov
ernments concerned its keen that citizens OF
their states lost their lives
"On this occasion the imperial government how
ever cannot escape the impression that certain i'm
portant facts having direct bearing the sinking
of the Lustania may have escaped the attention OF
the American government.
"In the interest of clear and complete under
standing which is the aim of both governments, the
imperial government considers it first necessary to
convince itself that the information accessible to both
governments about the facts of the case is complete
md in \ 4. "