The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-06-03


ment in connection with the sinking
of the Lusitania until the receipt OF
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 10.
In its 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 Guihight, and that in
all cases where neutral vessels,
through no fault of their own have
been damaged, Germany will pay in
Identification.
The reply urges that in the case of
the Lusitania which Germany alleges
, was armed and carried large stores of
war munitions, it was acting IN jus.
tilted s~eii-defense in seeking with all
the means of warfare at its disposi-
ton to protect the lives of its soldiers
by destroying ammunition intended 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 and the shutting out OF food
supplies from Germany, which, Il de-
clared, failed of their purpose because
OF the refusal of the British govern
ment to agree to them.
Text OF German Reply.
Berlin, via London, May 3i.-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 - regarding the injury to
American interest through German
submarine warfare:
The Imperial government has sub
tected 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 mas al.
ready been informed that the Ger
man government has no intention of
submitting neutral ships in the war
Zcnc, which ale guilty OF no hostile
acts, to attacks by a submarine or sub
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 sub
| marine warfare. owing to mistakes in
identification. it is a question only OF
quite isolated and exceptional cases,
which can be attributed to the British
governments abuse of flags, together
with the suspicious or culpable be-
hayior of the masters of the ships.
Expresses Deep Regret.
"The German government in all
cases in which it has been shown by
it's investigations that a neutral ship,
not itself at fault, was damaged by
German submarines or a%viators, has
expressed regret over the unfortunate
accident, and, If justified by conditions
has offered indemnifcation.
"The cases OF the Cushing 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. II necessary, will be supplement.
ed by an international call on the in
ternet.nnal commission of inquiry, as
provided by Article III of The Hague
agreement Of October 10, 1907.
Sinking OF the Falaba.
when etnking the British steamer
Falaba, the commander OF the Ger
man Submarine had the intention OF
allowing tire passengers and crew a
fun opportunity for a safe escape.
Only when the master did not obey
the order 20 h~eaye-to, but fed 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
% minutes time, and fired the torpedo
only when suspicious craft were hast
eaing to the assistance OF the Falaba.
Regarding the Lusitania.
Regarding the loss OF life by the
sinking of the British passenger
steamor Lusitania. the German gov
ernment has already expressed to the
neutral governments concerned its
keen regret that citizens OF their states
lost their lives.