THE LOST FLEET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1995, 26 June 1919, Page 3

THE LOST FLEET.

’ CLOSE SECRECY AT THE ADMIRALTY. NO GERMAN SHIPS AFLOAT. VON REUTER ACCEPTS RESSPON SIBILITY. London, June 23. The latest details of the sinking of the German fleet at Seapa Flow slioav that five battle-cruisers and ten battleships were sunk . the Baden was beached. Five light cruisers were sunk and three beached. Twen-ty-eight destroyers were sunk, twenty beached, and lavo are afloat. It is authoritatively denied that the crews Avere periodically relieved Avhen the supply ships arrived from Germany, but the vessels lay so (-lose it Avas difficult to prevent communication. The British frequently assisted in quelling mutinies on the vessels.

A German officer, Avearing the Iron Cross, boastfully pointed to the sinking ships and said: ‘‘See hoAV they go down —with their Hags Hying!” He spoke too soon, for British sailors hoarded ship after ship and hauled down the Hags before they sank.

The Admiralty is observing the closest secrecy, and has forbidden newspaper representatives to enter the Orkneys. Probably the full story Avill not be revealed until Tuesday, Avhen emergency questions Avill be asked in the House of Commons. The Baden was removed from her anchorage on Sunday and beached, therefore none of the German ships are noAV afloat. Mr Archibald Hurd states that it is understood that Admiral A - on Reuter says he believed that the armistice had terminated, and he accepts the full responsibility for (lie sinkings, which Avere in accordance with an order given at the beginning of the Avar that no German man-of-Avnr Avould he surrendered. The excuse, says Mr Hurd, docs not deserve serious consideration.

Eighteen hundred of the German eroAvs are noAV prisoners.

GRAPHIC STORY OP THE SINKING. An eye-Avilness aboard a steamer on Avhieh Avere 20(1 children from Stromess enjoying a cruise round the German fleet, gives a graphic story of the sinking. He noticed that the enemy ereAvs Avere unusually quiet, Avhen suddenly a drifter Avarned (he steamer to keep clear of the German ships, Avhieh Avere now the scene of bustle and excitement, the German Eagle being run to each masthead as the vessels shnvly and noiselessly settled down. The British sailors were as powerless as the children to prevent the disappearance of the fleet.

There Avas a violent explosion in the morning at a spot where one of (lie German ships sank. A pillar of water and Avreekage rose to a height of several hundred feet. There avus a similar explosion on a partiallysubmerged destroyer, which immediately heeled over and disappeared. The Naval authorities have found Yon Renter’s orders, Avhieh arc of recent date, for (he sinking of the ships. “A GOOD RIDDANCE.” Six Germans were killed and ton wounded while attempting to escape Avhen ordered to stop. None of (lie navigable channels of Seapa Floav are blocked. It is questionable whether sah’age operations will justify the expense. Naval writers regard (ho sentiling as a good riddance. The vessels were in a very neglected condition, their distribution Avonbl have proved an embarrassment, and their maintenance would involve a heavy ex-, pendilnro, including the manufacture of special types of guns, torpedoes, and ammunition. It is not likely that the scuttling plot Avas hatched at Weimar, as it Avould onh’ embarrass the now Government.

The press is indignant over the sinking of the German Heel. Some deplore the British negligence, others point out that France expected a share of the ships, and consider France should claim compensation from the Allies.

The Evening News states definitely that it has be’en ascertained that the scuttling of the ships avus planned in Berlin. Relief creAvs recently brought the instructions. VON REUTER ARRESTED. . Loudon, June 23. Admiral von Reuter has been arrested. He states that the ex-Kai-ser ordered in 1914 that, the Germans should never permit the ships to fall into the enemy’s hands. Official: It is intended to salve the Baden and Emden, and possibly the Frankfurt and Nuremburg, but not to salvo the others, Avhieh are lying in twelve to tAventy fathoms, making it unnecessary to bIoAV them up. VESSELS AT KIEL SUNK. Vancouver, June 23. Weimar advises that German warships in Kiel and other harbours were sunk. GERMAN PRESS ELATED. Copenhagen, June 23, The German neAvspapors are elated. The Sewolfnhrblatt praises the feat, hut fears the Entente will make an additional monetary claim. The Mittag Zeilung proudly boasts that Germany has fulfilled her resolve never to let England keep the ships.