GERMAN NAVAL MUTINY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1917, Page 2

GERMAN NAVAL MUTINY

FULL DETAILS. . A WIDESPREAD MOVEMENT. (AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]' (Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 15. The “Daily Express” Amsterdam correspondent gives a detailed account of tho German mutiny. Since the Jutland Battle, the Navy has been boiling with impatience for a decisive battle, or peace. Several causes combined to undermine discipline, the prolonged inactivity, tho harshness of officers, the A reduced rations, and, finally, the Rub- n sian Revolution, especially the Kronstadt mutiny. Shortly after the last-, event, tho officers learned that the men were .nlightljy conferring and discussing politics, Socialism and peace. Several arrests only served to pour oil on the flames. Matters came to a' climax early in August, following a further reduction of rations and numerous floggings for triffling offences. A revolt broke out simultaneously A on four first-class battleships-—th© ™ Prince Regent Luitpold, Kaiser, W©stfolen and Heligoland. j Ait dawn on August 20th, the crews assembled on the voseks,’ hoisted red flags, sang the “Marsellaise,” and shouted revolutionary cries. The officers ifrent to their posts,. but the men threatened they would throw them overboard, and they did not interfere, awaiting assistance.

The captain of the' Prinz Regent Luitpold hastened aboard, and ordered the men to haul down the red flag within five minutes

The crew replied by binding him with cords and throwing him overboard, and he was drowned/ A majority ,of the light guns were thrown into th© sea, and the heavy guns were rendered useless. The authorities at Wilh <1 mahaven ordered out several battalions of marjinds, hut the latter (declared they would not fire on their comrades until they knew what had happened. The commander was furiohs, hut ho ■ yielded,* giving the information required. • , Th© marines then refused to proceed and were confined to their barracks. Infantry were summoned from Oldenburg and torpedo boats filled with troops surrounded the battleships, demanding their surrender. * A small fight resulted in two sailors being killed and some soldiers wounded. . ; • The rebels soon surrendered. -(Practically all the ammunition had; been thrown into th© sea., The ringleaders were shot next morning, ond t©n others from each ship were court-martialled. Fifteen were rthot and the remaincUr sentenced to an average term of twenty years. ■’ :/ It is understood that the mutinous cruiser was the “Hamburg,” stationed at Heligoland. The captain and most of the officers | were absent from the ship and the muhine<<rs overpowered rile remainder, mid quietly 'left their mooring# for Norway. Many destroyers followod and ordered the Hamburg to stop, being given five minutes to return or be torpedoed. They (elected to surrender and thirty men were arrested. It is believed the majority were shot.