The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-06-02
Of u. s.. That Submarine
Warfare Shall Stop.
DOES NOT DIRECTLY ANSWER
The American Representation
Concerning Recent Sink.
ing OF Lusitania.
THE FULL TEXT Is HERE GIVEN

The following is the full text of
Germany's reply to President Will
sons recent note anent the sinking
of the Lusitania, &C.:
"The undersigned has the honor
to submit to Ambassador Gerard the
following answer to the communi-
cation of May Is. regarding the in
jury to American interests through
German submarine warfare:
1.-THE Imperial Government has
subjected 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 be-
tween the two Governments through
the events mentioned by the Ameri-
can Government.
Regarding, firstly, the cases of
the American steamers Cushing and
Gulfiight. The American Embassy
has already been informed that the
German Government has no inten-
ton of submitting neutral ships in
the war zone, which are guilty of no
hostile acts, to attacks by subma-
rine or submarines 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
submarine warfare, owing to mis-
takes in identification. it is a ques-
ton only of quite isolated and ex-
ceptional cases, which can be attrib-
uted to the British Governments
abuse of flags. together with the sus-
picious or culpable behavior OF the
masters of the ships.
1.-THE German Government, in all
cases in which it has been shown by
its Investigations that neutral
ship, not itself at fault, was damag-
! ed by German submarines or avia-
tors, has expressed regret over the
unfortunate accident. and, If justi-
fled by conditions, has offered in
Identification.
"The cases of the Cushing and
the Gulfight will be treated on the
same principles. An investigation
of both cases is in progress. the re-
suit of which will presently be COM
municated to the Embassy. The
situation can, II necessary. be sup
plemented by an international call
ON the International Commission of
Inquiry, as provided by Article ILL.,.
of The Hague agreement Of October
IS, 1907.
when sinking the British steam
er Falaba, the commander of the
German submarine had the inten-
ton of allowing the passengers and
crew a full opportunity for safe
escape. Only when the master did
not obey the order to heave-to. but
fed and summoned help by rocket
signals, did the German commander
order the crew and passengers by
signals and megaphone to leave the
ship within ten minutes. He actu-
ally allowed them twenty-three mia
utes time, and fired the torpedo
only when suspicious craft were
fastening to the assistance OF the
Falaba.
Regarding the loss of life by the
sinking of the British passenger
steamer Lusitania. the German Gov
eminent has already expressed to
the neutral governments concerned.
its keen regret that citizens of their
States lost their lives.
ION this occasion the Imperial
Government. however. cannot es-
cape the impression that certain
important facts having direct bear
ing on the sinking OF the Lusitania
may have escaped the attention OF
the American. Government.
I'm the interest OF a clear and
complete understanding. which is
the aim of both Governments. the
Imperial Government considers 1t
first necessary to convince itself
that the information accessible 10
both Governments about the facts