The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-06-02
DEFENDS SUBMARINE WAR
Calls Attention to Former Offer OF
This Country Which Was Agreeu
to-Does Not Wish to Attack Neu-
traIs-Blames Great Britain for
Refusal to Agree to L. S. Request.

American government to thorough
investigation. It enters also keen
wish to cooperate in frank and
friendly way in clearing up pos
sible misunderstanding which may
have arisen in the relations between
the two governments through the
events mentioned By the American
government.
The Cuslnin gand Gulflisht.
Regarding, firstly, the cases OF
the American steamers Gushing and
Gulflisht. The American embassy
has already been, informed that the
German government has no intention
of submitting neutral ships ID the
war zone, which are guilty OF no hos
tile acts to attacks by a submarine
or submarines, or aviators. On the
contrary the German forces have re-
peatedly been instructed most specf
fcally to avoid attacks on such ships
II neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German
submarine warfare, owing to mis-
takes in Identification, it is question
only of quite isolated and exceptional
cases, which can be attributed to the
British governments abuse Of flags,
together wish the suspicious or cul-
pable behavior of the masters OF the
ships.
1.-THE German government, in all
cases in which it has been shown oJ
its investigations that neutral ship
not itself at fault, was damaged b?
German submarines or aviators, has
expressed regret over the unfortunate
accident, and if justified by condl-
fions, has offered indemnifcation.
..The cases OF the Gushing and the
Gulflight will >be treated on the same
principles. An investigation Of both
cases is in progress, the result OF
which will presently be communicat-
ed to the embassy. The investiga-
ton can, if necessary, be supple.
mented by an international call on
the international commission OF in
quiry as provided by Article III O.
The Hague agreement of October is
1907.
American Lost On Falaba.
.sWhen sinking the British steam
er Falaba the commander Of the Ger
man submarine had the intention OF
allowing the passengers and crew
full opportunity for 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 megaphone to leave the ship
within ten minutes. He actually al
lowed them twenty-three minutes
time and fred the torpedo only when
suspicious craft were fastening to
the assistance of the Falaba.
The Lusitania.
Regarding the loss of life by the
sinking Of the British passenger
steamer Lusitania, the German gov
errment has already expressed to the
neutral governments concerned its
keen regret that citizens of their
states lost their lives.
ftOn this occasion the Imperial
government. however, can not escape
the impression that certain impor-
taut facts having a direct bearing on
the sinking of the Lusitania may
have escaped the attention of the
American government.
Was British Auxiliary Cruiser.
'In the interest Of clear and
aim of both governments, the I'M
perial government considers it first
necessary to convince itself that the
information accessible to both gov
ernments about the facts Of the case
is complete and in accord. The gov
ernment of the United States pro-
ceeds on the assumption that the
Lusitania could be regarded as an
ordinary unarmed merchantmen. The
Imperial government allows itself in
this connection to point out that the
Lusitania was one of the largest and
fastest British merchant ships, built
with government funds as an aux
iliary cruiser and carried expressly
as such in the navy list issued by
the British admiralty
"It is further known to the I'M
perial government, from trustworthy
reports from its agents and neutral
passengers, that for a conSidera Bile
time practically all the more valu-
able British merchantmen have been
equipped with cannon and ammuni-
ton and other weapons and manned
with persons who har-a been especial
ly trained in serving guns. The Lusi-
tan:a, too, according to information
receive here, had cannon aboard,
which were mounted and concealed
below decks.
Enticed Ships to Attack.
''The Imperial government further
has the honor to direct the particu-
lar attention of the American gov
ernment to the fact that the British
admiralty in confidential instruc-
tions issued in February, 1915, rec
commended its mercantile shipping
not only to seek protection under
neutral flags, an distinguishing
marks, but also, while thus disguised.
to attack German submarines by ram
ming. AS special incitation to mer-
chantmen to destroy submarines the
British government also offered high
prizes and has already paid such re-
wards.
''The Imperial government, in
view Of these facts. in dubitably
known to it. is unable to regard Brit
ish merchantmen in the zone Of naval
operations specified by the admiralty
staff of the German navy as 'unde-
Tended German commanders conse-
quently are no longer able to observe
the customary regulations OF the
prize law. which they before always
followed.
"Finallv, the Imperial government
must point out particularly that the
Lusitania on its last trip. as on earl
ier occasions, carried Canadian troops