SEA FIGHT OFF VALPARAISO

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2301, 7 November 1914, Page 7

SEA FIGHT OFF VALPARAISO

SINKING OF THE MONMOUTH BRITISH GUNS OUT-RANGED BY THE GERMANS New York, November 5. The New York "Herald's" correspondent at Valparaiso states that Admiral Oraddock's men fought gallantly against superior odds. The Monmouth was subjected to a terrific fire. Her guns were served until the vessel toppled over and sank. The Glaegow was damaged and ran for Coronel (an open -roadstead harbour in the provinco of Conception), under the Good Hope's protection. The Germans concentrated their firo on the Good Hope (whose fate is uncertain), aiid ceased pursuing. the Glasgow. ' Later advices ■ from Valparaiso state that the Good Hope'ie undamaged. 'ALL REPORTS BASED ON GERMAN STATEMENTS. . / . London, November 5. The reported British defeat in South American waters is scouted in Gov- .' eminent circles, although everywhere it is credited in the United States Press. A later message states that "no clearer light has been thrown on the engagement between the German and British cruisers off the Chilean ccast. All the reports appear to be based on German statements, but there is little doubt that the Monmouth was sunk. The British were _ outranged. The Germans were unable to rescue the Monmouth's men owing to tho (Rec. November 7, 0.30 a.m.) ' . . London, November 5. * Tho Admiralty is unable to accept the accuracy of 'the reports of the Valparaiso fight, because the battleship Canopus which was specially sent to strengthen Admiral Craddock'e squadron is not mentioned. Her presence would have given him a deoided superiority. ' The battleship Canopus, 12,950 tons (1899) oarries four 12-inch guns, twelve 6-incli guns, in addition to smaller armament, and stoams 18.5 knots. Her complement tofcala 700. in; touch with .the elusive enemy at last. Sydney, Novembor 5. The "Daily Telegraph" says that apparently tho British ships are at last in touch with the elusive German fleot in tho Pacific. "It will be a special relief to publio feeling if the formidable cruisers which at one time were within three days' sail of New Zealand can bo finally accounted for. Even the silencing of the Emdeii would bo more welcome newe than the capture of nil the islands taken from GeraawV 1

ACCOUNTS"- IN THE AMERICAN PRESS,, (Reo. November 6, 10.30 p.m.) Washington, November 5. Reports from Valparaiso state that the German cruiser Nurnberg fruitlessly sought the British squadron, after the supposed battle, but only heard wireless calls from the cruiser Glasgow asking the Good Hope to reply. The American Press is publishing long descriptive accounts of the supposed fight. They admit that all ai'o based on German officers' .statements.. Wireless communication via Tuckerton (on the New Jersey coast) with Germany is suspended. THE ATTACK ON THE HALCYON OFF LOWESTOFT, (Rec. November 6, ! 5.15 p.m.) London, November 5. The German 'ships which were attacking tlie Hadcyon were. (apparently attempting to lay mines to induce a feeling of nervousness amongst the people. They successfully evaded the British patrol, and suddenly appeared offi the East Anglican coast, and steamed southward. When attacked by the coast patrol they showed a disinclination to wait for an engagement, standing . away to the northward.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Reo. November 6, 8.5 p.m.) London, November 6. The Halcyon was sending a, wireless message to the fleet when a lucky shot destroyed her aerial, and the message was not completed. The enemy bolted before the Halcyon's wireless apparatus was restored. Twenty-one men perished in the disaster to Submarine Do. REMUERA THREATENED BY THE RAIDERS. London, November 5. The Now Zealand Shipping Company's liner Remuera, (which hae just arrived from Wellington) has reported that on her way to Cape Horn two German cruisers threatened her. After leaving Monte Video she sighted warships, extinguished all her lights, and went full speed ahead on a, changed course, eluding tho cruisers. ' CASUALTY ROLL OF THE LOST. HERMES. . { . London, November 5. The Admiralty announces that there were three killed and twenty missing from the cruiser Hermes.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) • REPORTED END OF THE RAIDER KONIGSBERG. . London, November 5. It is reported in. London that the Konigsberg (which sank H.M.S. Pegasus at Zanzibar'earlier in the war), has been put out of action in the Indian Ocean. . ' ■ • ' FATE OF THE GERMAN CRUISER YORCK. Amsterdam, November 5. The German cruiser Yorck struck a chain of mines blocking Jade Bay (off the mouth of the Weser River) during a fog. Three hundred and eightytwo of her crew were rescued. An official message to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, dated London, November 5, states:—"Berlin Teports that the German cruiser Yorck was mined and sunk in ..the entrance to Jade yesterday^ The Yorck was an armoured cruiser of 9350 tone, and was' built in 1904-5. She had a "speed of twenty-one knots, carried four 8.2-in. guns, ten 5.9-in., fourteen 3.4-in., and three 1.4-in. Her complement was 638. . ■ • / ' ..--..; SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR OF GERMAN HOSPITAL SHIP, An official message to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, dated London November 5, states:—"The Admiralty announces that the German vessel Ophelia, flying the Red Cross flag, was detained because her name has not been notified to the British Government as a hospitah ship, in accordance with the requirements of the Convention. She behaved in a manner inconsistent with the duties of a hospital sliip. The vessel will be brought before the Prize Court. THE CLOSING OF THE NORTH SEA. London, November 5. The "Times," in a leading article on tho war, says:_ "'We are glad to see signs in many quarters that the people are beginning to awaken to the gravity of the struggle and the consequences depending on it. The Adr miralty's strong measures to prevent the indiscriminate scattering of mines on trade routes are unusual and unique, but the present circumstances' and the many recent disasters fully justify the decision."- •