A MARVELLOUS REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1917, Page 3

A MARVELLOUS REPORT.

APOLOGISING FOR ESCAPEES.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. COPYRIGHT.]

A UCKLAND, December 27

The following statement is issued by the Naval Adviser: The escaped German prisoners who have now, to the credit of the country, been returned to N&w Zealand, appear to have obeyed carefully the normal rules of war in all their proceedings. After escaping from Motuihi they concealed themselves in one of the numerous small inlets of the islands until a suitable craft for their purpose was sighted. Meanwhile they had taken tho pre-

caution of proceeding outside the threemil.; limit, and there swearing in all the escapees as members of the Kaiser's Navy; thus making them all members of tho Imporial German Forces when capturing the IVIoa, which, apparently, had not heard of the escape before sailing from Taumanga. ’l'lie Germans approached* under the New Zealand flag; but just previously to com it ting any act of war, the German ensign of a small size was hoisted. Apparently the launch Pearl hailed tho Moa to heave to, and then went alongside, and at once put ten men on board. Her unsuspecting crew, who were mostly below at the moment, were, of course, outnumbered and overpowered. They were told that they wero civilian prisoners ol the Kaiser, and must do as they were told, and they would be recompensed for any loss of pay | they suffered while working for Germany. The launch was then taken in j tow and sail made to the northward. j

Unfortunately for the escapees, the launch foundered in the heavy seas some hours later, thus depriving them of a von- useful adjunct, and materially assisting their recapture.

When finally recaptured the escaped Germans were flying the German ensign and surrendered as prisoners nf war. The. fact that, the recapturing ship was efficiently, armed, undoubtedly led to their surrender, which occurred immediately it was realised that guns of medium calibre were available. Had the ship not been so armed it is probable that the escapees would have nut up a capable resistance, and As a matter of fact, a gun had to be fired close off the Moa before the order to heave to was obeyed. Whatever means of attack was possessed by the escapees were thrown overboard before surrender. Tho prisoners had a. sufficiency of provisions and water . to last, them for some considerable time; but the quality of the former was not quite what was necessary. The crew of the scow were well treated up to the time of recapture and were given the same food etc., as the escapees themselves. In many ways much forethought and ingenuity were shown hv the prisoners in their plans and preparation for escape.