“DER TAG!”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1907, 26 November 1918, Page 3

“DER TAG!”

NOT AS GERMANS THOUGHT,

THEIR FLEET IN BRITISH HAR-

BOURS

THE SILENT VICTORS

London, January 21

“Der Tag” proved very different from the expectations entertained in German naval circles four years ago. It was line moonlight when the Allied Heels weighed anchor at 3 o’clock iit the morning and proceeded to the place of rendezvous, sixty miles from the Scottish coast. .Admiral Beatty put to sea in two single lines, six miles apart, to enable the .surrendering fleet to come up the centre. At 2.30 p.m. the leading German ship was seen five miles away. She proved to be the battlecruiser Seydlitz, flying Commodore Taget’s pennon. She was followed by the DerlTlinger, Moltke, Hindenburg, and Von der Tann. The Allied fleet was instructed not to relax its vigilance. If any nonsense was attempted it was ready for immediate action. However, the arrangement was completed without a hitch. Tho surrendering vessels approached in single column, three cables apart. The battleships were followed by light cruisers, which, three miles astern, passed between the Allied lines. It was a. stalely procession. There was not a sound in the Allied lines while the Germans .passed; then Admiral Beatty, on the Queen Elizabeth, came through their lines, and the men in every ship vented their repressed emotions. It was an amazing demonstration of affection and admiration for the Admiral. There had been some grumblers in the French newspapers because the Allies had not confiscated all tho German ships, but it is pointed out that every capital German ship built since .1010, excepting (he Lnlzow and Worth, is now moored in. the Firth of .Forth, where all tire being examined before being interned. In connection with the surrender of the second batch of nineteen submarines, (lie battleship Heligoland, unarmed, led (hem to Harwich. The commander of one of the submarines angrily ejaculated, 4 *Wc will be back for them sotm!”

The surrendered worships included the light cruisers Karlsruhe, Emden, Frankfurt, and Kurnbcrg, and forty-nine destroyers. The battlecruisers Koenig and Mackensen and two light cruisers have still to be surrendered.

NOW' A FIFTH-RATE POWER

COST OF SEEKEXDEKED FLEET

London, Novcmb. 23.

ft is estimated that the ships surrendered cost considerably over /iffy millions sterling. The German naval status is now that of a Jiflliraie Power. The Allied Elect consisted of over a thousand vessels. Several Australian military ollicers Mere aboard 11.M.5. Few Zealand, while representatives of the New Zealand forces were aboard 11.M.5. Australia.

The hoarding parlies described 1 lie German attitude as depressed ami sulky, with no attempt lo fraternise. The mess decks were very dirty. Apparently discipline lias ended. Several men of the crew, wearing white armlets, took an ot'tieious part in the proceedings. Apparently they were members of the ■Soldiers' and Sailors’ Councils. The kciv Zealand’s boarding party report a similar state of affairs on the Derfllinger, whiedi thev are looking after.

Admiral Beatty has sent Admiral Montague Browning to Germany to supervise the disarming of (he remainder of the fleet. It is expected that the inspection of (he Gorman ships in the Firth of Forth will laid] some days. The Gentian crews will remain until the ships reach Scapaflow. Fifty-nine submarines thus far have surrendered.

A TALE OF SEA POWER

AMERICA'S ACKNO WLEDGMEAT. Washing!on, Novcmb. 22. .Newspapers in New York point out that there has been much debating as to who and what won the war, ‘‘hut it is sure,” says one “that had not (he British Navy existed the war could not have been won at all.” The surrender of the Gorman Navy is described as merely a naval parade, which, however, tells a tale of sea power as truly as would a gigantic naval battle with scarred victors sailing homo triumphant. British statesmen are praised for their wisdom in deciding to safeguard England by making her safe on the seas.