Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-06-01
GERMAN REPLY
NOT DEFINITE
IN IT'S TERMS
Indicates Willingness to Discuss
Settlement of Lusitania In
cident Further.

TO AundSSaQOF GcIaIu INe He"L oA'0A-
noon for transmission to Washington.
The note deters Il direct answer to
the questions raised by President Will
son, pending a further exchange OF
views. Germany desires to establish
whether the Lusitan:a was Y defense
less merchant ship or was being used
for the transportation OF war NUM-
tlons and soldiers, on which unsus-
pecting passengers were permitted TO
take passage to safeguard the war
materials.
Had Time to Escape.
The American representations re-
garding the torpcdong OF the British
steamer Falaba, in which an Ameri-
can citizen lost his l;fe. are answered
with the statement that it was intend
ed to offer ample time for the pas.
sengers and crew to leave the ship.
The action Of the captain IN at.
tempting to escape, however, necossl-
tated more summary action. Even
then the commander of the suhm'r!ne
granted ten minutes for those on
board to leave tho vessel and subse'
uuently extended the time to twenty.
three minutes before sinking the ship.
Expresses Regret.
Germany eyr-asser regrets for "tha
unintentional attacks; ar the, ANeri-
can steamer. Gushing. and Tie C'l'sl-
light. Tie Gushing was attacked bv
German airnen in the North sea and
the Gulflight was tornedoed off
scillv islands. Germany disovows any
Intention to attnck harmless neutral
craft. She offers tn ray compensa-
tion wherever she is found to be in
the wrons and to refer doubtful cases
to The Hague for a decision. IT,.
@>' Wants More Facts g..
The passages in the American note
concerning a possible disavowa! by
Germany OF intent to sink the Lusita-
mia and the discontinuance OF her
present practices Of submarine war
fare are not mentioned specifically in
the reply. The note states that pend
ing the reply OF the American gov
ernment to the German assumption or
fact regarding the real character or
the Lusitania and her cargo. no at
temnt will 10 made to answer the de-
mand contained In tho American
communities
Was Vessel Armed?
These assumptions OF fact are rs
follows: l5t
"The Lusitania was built as an aux:
lliarv cruiser subsidized and carried
on tho navy lists as such. II carried,
according tc German information. two
guns mounted and concealed below
DECKS"
British steamers sailing from New
York according to Information re-
ceiyed from passengers and other
repeatedly carried soldiers.
srti1lerv war supplies "nd contraband
TO England. the Lusitania on this
trip carrying specifically 5,400 cases
Of ammunition, in addition to other
war supplies, and Canadian troops en-
route to the front.
Were Explosives Carried?
Reference is here made to the fact
that carrying OF explosives on passen'
ger steamers is contrary to American
law. It is intimated that the German
government would be glad to receive
Information as to how it hanpenef
that ammunition was permitted to be
shipped on the Lusitania,a vessel
with passengers. Strong
phrases are used regarding what IS
considered as apparently the dellber-
ate policy Of British shipping compa-
nies to protect war shipments by en-
barking American passengers on the
same ships.
~ Asks More information
Germany contends it is impossible
10 settle the question whether proper
opportunity was given to place the
and crew in safety until 1t
IS determined whether the regulations
ldopted after the sinking OF the I'll
.anc. regarding a proper supply OF
boats and watertight bulkheads. which |
ire now a part of the American law,
we're observed in the case Of the Lusf- !
.ania
More Questions Asked
Finally. the American mediatnry
proposals designed to end submarine
warfare and the throttling Of food
,upolies and other conditional con-
raband for Germany are recalled.
rhe government expresses the desire
o know what stems. il. any, have been
AIKEN to induce Great Britain to en-
,ark on negotiations to this end, att
r Germany indicated her Willingness
o discuss a settlement on this gener-
Il basis. =
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