TRADITIONS OF THE SEA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 254, 6 January 1941, Page 8

TRADITIONS OF THE SEA

GERMAN DISREGARD FOR AN ANCIENT CODE RUTHLESS WARFARE WAGED "The traditions ol' the sea have been handed- down generation by generation fro ajl those who 'go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters'; and these traditions have also found their way in'/-*'the life of,those who, while not going down to the sea in ships, do occupy their business in the air which lies above the great waters," writes Vice-Admiral J. E, T. Harper, C.0.., in the Quarterly Review. "It is a tradition of the sea to succour those in distress at sea, whethct friend or foe. Attack your enemy by every legitimate means, yes; and having fought him to a finish by sinking his ship, then it is a tradition of tlic sea to save life if this is possible. No man with the tradition cf the sea in his blood could leave a man to drown, be he friend or be lie enemy, if human endeavour could prevent it without sacrificing national interests. The German conduct of the Avar on the sea and over the sea has caused disgust: it follows closely the pattern she set in the last war. The illegality and sheer brutality of sinking merchant ships without making provision for the safety of those on board, the bombing and machinegunning of harmless fishing boats and lightships and the subsequent murder of those struggling in tho water eoukl only be conducted by those who knew not, or knowing: cared not for the tradition of the sea."