Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-05-12
WILSON'S COURSE ].
IS DETERMINED
Will Publish Note He is Pre-
pairing as Soon as
Possible
GERMANY OFFERS PAY
United States VIII, it is Said, De-
mand Full Reparation for Lives
Lost on Lusitania

Washington, May Pit is believ-
ed today that President Wilson has
delayed the forwarding of his note
to Germany calling the imperial gov
ernment to Strict accountability for
the loss Of American lives on the
Lusitania," for probably twenty
four hours that Ambassador Gerard
may have time to notify the few
Americans left in Berlin and else
where in Germany that they had bet
ter leave at the first possible
moment. The opinion is that the
President has had Secretary Bryan
advise Mr.. Gerard that in view Of
the ill-feeIing in Germany to Ameri-
cans and in view of the probable
course of the United States it
will be advisable to rid Germany OF
all Americans 1t is possible for
them if aided by the German officials,
to get to Switzerland or Ital,
Washington, May 12.-Following :
conference which he had this morning
with President Wilson, Secretary Tu-
multy made the following announce
ment:
"TheS course Of the President has
been determined. 1t will be announ.
ced just as soon as it is proper tc
publish the note now in preparation.
Washington May l2-Germany,
through Ambassador Gerard has
notified the Uniged States that sub
marine commanders had been speci-
fically instructed not to harm neutra
fessels not engaged in hostile acts,
and that Germany would pay for
damages to such ships in the wal
zone.
Neutral ships carrying con,rabanG
will be dealt with, the announcement
says, according to the rules of maya
warfare. If neutral ships are acci-
dentally damaged in the war zone
Germany will express its regret ana
pay damages without prize court pro-
ceedings.
The German Government justifes
its submarine warfare on the grounds
that England threatened to starve
the civilian population of Germany
by prohibiting neutral commerce IN
foodstuffs and other necessities.
:: In, previous communications Ger
many has disclaimed responsibility
for ?any harm that might befall neu-
trail vessels venturing into the wal
zone.
The text of the announcement
was issued by the Berlin Foreign
Office in form of circular follows:
al The Imperial German Govern
ment naturally has no intention Of
causing to be attacked by submarine
or aircraft such neutral ships OF
commerce in the zone of naval war
fare, definitely described in the notice
Of, the German Admiralty staff OF
! February last, as have been guilty
of no hostile act On the contrary,
the most definite instructions repea-
tedy have been issued to German
war vessels to. avoid attacks on such
ships under all circumstances. Even
! when such ships have contraband OF
war on board, they are dealt with
| by submarines solely according to
the rule of international law apply
ing to prize warfare.
"2. Should a neutral ship never
theless come to harm through German
submarines or aircraft on account OF
an unfortunate (word apparently
missing from dispatch) in the above
| mentioned zone of naval warfare
! the German Government will unreser-
| vedly recognize its responsibility
! therefor. In such case it will ex-
press it's regrets and afford damages
! without first instituting prize court
action.
! IS. 1t is the custom of the German
Government, as soon as the sinking
of neutral ship in the above men
toned zone Of naval warfare. is, as
c,ibed to German, war vessels, TO in
stitute an. immediate Investigation in,
to the causc.cH If grounds appear there