REPAIR PLANS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 272, 18 December 1939, Page 3

REPAIR PLANS

GRAF VON BPEE PERMIT EXPECTED BRIEF PERIOD ONLY WORK ,BiY HER OWN CREW I . GUARDS NECESSARY , JU)STI LJTY OF CITIZENS * LONDON, Dec.. 15. A Montevideo mcs.sngo to the Associated Press of America states that the Uruguayan Foreign Minister, Senlior Alberto, Gunni announced that 'he Uriigiinyiun Government, has granted the German Government’s request to allow the Graf von. Spec to remain., until repairs can he made. Yesterday it was stated that the Uruguayan Government was inviting the Graf von. Spec.' to leave within the customary 24’ .hours. If her commander refused she would be “dismantled.’ So till or Guam said .that 'the period the Graf von Spec may remain would lio cstublislicd after a survey by the Uruguayan naval authorities. It would not be long. Time would he allowed for the repairs necessary to enable the Graf von Spec to navigate. Repairs elsewhere would not he taken into; consideration. A further Montevideo message says it is reliably stated that the Uruguayan Government will announce a decision, regarding the Graf von Spec’s status after a Cabinet meeting this afternoon. Port Workers’ Refusal H? is statedi that the Graf von ftpeo is prepared to repair the damage with her own crew following the refusal of the port workers to work for any company which, undertook the contract. Captain Meilmlirdietrieh, the German naval attache at Buenos Aires, examined the Graf von Spec. Another investigation was made by Uruguayan experts, after which tho United Press reported that it was lound the ship was navigable, lint the control tower and six Him guns had been destroyed, this meaning that- if the Gral von Spec put to sea immediately, she would 1,6 able to use only lu*r secondary battery of s.him guns. If these reports were true it was assumed! that I ruguay. would ask the Graf von Spec to leave at, 8,50 p.m. Montevideo time, or accept internment. While the decision of the Government regarding the time sho will he allowed to remain is being awaited, the Gral; von Spec is loading a large number of welding tanks, heavy plates and other metals. At the same time preparations have been made for the burial in a single large grave in the north of the cemetery. A guard of honour stood hoi ore the wooden coffins, which were draped with swastikas. The ceremony was set. for 1 p.m. Police: Precautions The police took precautions against disturbances, since a large section ol the Montevideo .public:' is displacing illwill to the Germans. Five thousand people watched the landing of the coffins containing the bodies of the German victims of the battle. Fourteen bus loads of the Gral von* Spec’s crew and Uruguayan and German officers followed the bodies to the cemetery. One -wreath was inscribed : “To the memory, of the brave men of the sea from their comrades of the British merchant service.” The authorities banned a parade in tho city to avoid incidents because of the general ill-reeling against the Graf von Spec.