THE GERMAN ESCAPEES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 82, 31 December 1917, Page 6

THE GERMAN ESCAPEES

' LIFE ON THE SCOW HOA SOME PERSONAL DETAILS There is still much speculation re* garding the German prisoners who cs< eaped from Motuihj'and were recaptured and brought back last week (says the Auckland "Star"). It is common knowledge, of course, that these prisoners aro now held at tbe Mount Eden gaol till arrangements are mado to hold them elsewhere. In view of the circumstances it is hardly likely that they will again be interned at Motuihi, as, though apparently they cannot be punished for their attempt at escape, the authorities are, nevertheless, justified in taking such steps as they consider' necessary to prevent a similar occurrence in the future. Count von Luckner protested 6trongly against being taken to Mount Eden, contending that this was not in accordance with the articles of war, and that the authorities had no to take this course. The fact remains, however, that they will be held there until definite arrange* ments have boon made elsewhere.

"Hard Luck, Eh?" Captain' Bourke, of the scow Moa, has some interesting experiences to relate regarding the prisoners while they were in possession of the Moa. As has already been stated, the Gorraans treated the crew of tho Moa well, and Captain Bourke's verdict is that the Count is a good sport. When the latter and his men first boarded the Moa, Captain. Bourke naturally indulged in some language that was not altogether parliamentary, and remarked that it was d hard luck to be captured in that fashion. Count von Luckner simply smiled and took charge of the scow. The joke was on tho Count, however,rhon he in turn was captured. When he was going over tho stem of the scow to go on board the capturing steamer, he turned to Captain Bourke and remarked smilingly. "Hard luck, eh?' It was Captain Bourke's turn to smile, and he did. The Count and tho other prisoners spoke freely of the doings of the Germans while they were in charge of the scow. They were very bitter against the English as a nation, blaming' them for all their troubles sinco the outbreak of war. This animosity, however, did not take any personal form so far ajs tho crew of tho Moa wore concerned. In addition to other matters the Count mentioned the case of Captain Eryatt, who, it will be remembered, was shot by the Germans under circumstances that did not redound to' their credit. He stated that tho Germans had no idea who the man they had shot was till they saw his •name in' the English papers, and noted the fact that lie had been presented with a watch by tho King. Following this they mado an inspection of Captain Fryatt's belongings, and proved his identity by tho watch.

A Cart and an Open Door. On the scow Count von Luckncr and Lieutenant Kirscheiss installed themselves in Captain Bourke's quarters aft, the rest of the Germans being also housed aft. A picture of Lord Kitchener had been placed up by the crew of the scow in the place where they took their meals. This had been pulled down by the Germans, and pictures or Hindenburg. placed in the captain's quarters instead. The discipline between the prisoners appeared to befairly rigid, iiild the Count was saluted as soon as ho appeared on deck in tho mornings. The latter was questioned regarding his escape from the island, and 'in reply is reported to have said: "Well, if you supply me with a cart and leavo the door wide open what would you do?" It was stated also by tho Germans on board that they.wero prepared to escape- some seventeen or eighteen days before the actual night of their escape, and that they got a German cook appointed on the island so that he mightf assist them in procuring the necessary provisions, especially tho tinned fowl. They only rantho German flag to the masthead when they found that tbev had to surrender again to 'tho steamer that effected their capture, and, as already stated, they also hoisted it at the time they took tho Moa: that is to say, one of the men held tho flag aloft on a small iiole. Damage to the Moa. The captain of the Moa, which is now berthed alongside tho Leylaud-O'Briea Timber Co.'s mill, states that tho vessel has been considerably damaged, and it is estimated that it will probably cost some £200 to restoro her to her former seaworthy condition. When she left Tauranga she had on board about 80,000 ft. of sawn riinu,- which was worth between £500 and £000. It is estimated that about two-thirds of this lias been thrown overboard, and,, unfortunately, it is the timber of the best quality that lias been thrown into tho'sea, so that the loss to the owners is considerable. When tho.Germans first started to jettison this timber tbev wero going to throw overboard a, big' derrick which'had been unshipped and was lying on top,of tho timber. Captain Bourke, however, saved tho situation by remarking that if they throw this overboard they would bo unable to hoist the launch on board when the weather took up. This argument appealed to the Count, and the derrick was retained. A great deal has been said regarding the quantity of water on tho scow in the possession of the prisoners. It is interesting to learn that on tho scow there were two 600-gailon tanks forward, and ono 400-gallon tank aft. These had all been filled at Omakoroa, and contained beautifully fresh water obtained from a spring at tho latter place. .