GERMAN NAVAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1917, Page 3

GERMAN NAVAL TROUBLE.

GERMAN SOCIALISTS

AND THE NAVY-MUTINEERS

AMSTERDAM, Oct, 10

Pittman, an Independent' Socialist., in the Reichstag said that a systematic propaganda existed to defeat peace by agroement. Dr. Michaelis’s speech convicted the Germans policy of falsehood and duplicaty. Meantime independent Socialists were imprisoned! The speech frequently evoked an uproar.

Dr. Michaelis, in reply declared that Independent Socialists were a grave danger to Germany. The punishments inflicted on the naval mutineers vns not excessive. Documents found, showed the mutineers were pledged to -ecognise , the principles of the Tndeoendent Socialists, who had been eon'bieting a widespread agitation among the crews. The sentences must be severe, because it was necessary to break resistance in these critical days.

Von Capelle said we cannot make a statement in regard to events at the -’root, hut the rumours were exaggerated. Dittman had been a party to the mutineers plans.

GERMAN NAVAL MUTINY. \

FURTHER DETAILS

AMSTERDAM, October 11

Details of the. mutiny show that the sailors threw the captain of the Westfalen into the sea. TTis body was recovered eight days later. Tho mutineers left their ship and went ashore. Marines were ordered to attack them but refused. The Oldenburg regiment was called out and surrounded liho mutineers who surrendered.

Tn addition to tho mutinous crews of the four battleships the crew of Die Nnmberg, which was at sea revolted and seized their officers. They headed the vessel for Norway with the object of getting themselves interned. !K*n route the Nuraberp oncountered a torpedo flotilla, which signalled to the Nurnborg. The latter made no reply and the ooinmandpr of the flotilla- becoming, suspicious, wirelessed to Wilhelmshaven. He received instructions to stop or sink the NTurnfiuru. The. crow of the latter seeing the ship surrounded surrendered and the Nurnborg was convoved to Wilholinshavon.

The Kaiser, accompanied by Dr. Michaelis came to Wilhelmshaven and ordered one out of every seven of the mutineers to he shot. Dr.l Michaelis objected that, he was unable to assume such responsibility before the ■Reichstag had dealt with the matter. Eventually only three were shot the others being heavily sentenced. One of the reasons for tho mutiny is said to be bnd and inadequate food.