NEW EMDEN

Southland Times, Issue 20081, 19 January 1927, Page 5

NEW EMDEN

VISIT TO CAPETOWN

RUSH TO INSPECT CRUISER

HOSE NECESSARY TO RESTRAIN

ENTHUSIASM

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

Captown, January 17. The Emden is lying at Collier Jetty which is open to the sea on both sides and at the end with a narrow entrance. A crowd estimated at ten thousand visited the cruiser, the decks of which were soon packed. As a result an officer of the Emden intimated that no further visitors would be allowed on board until those on board had left. The crowd continued to be augmented and the police were powerless. The greatest danger spot was between the cruiser and the quayside as the police and the front of the crowd would have fallen on the huge planks which were used as fenders and then the others on top of them, the whole mass being crushed to death. The captain realising the position ordered a hose to be played on the crowd and it had the desired effect of keeping the people back. Captain Foerster who is in command of the Emden states that the use of the hose on the crowd averted one of the biggest disasters ever known in this country. It was only turned on after repealed applications by the police who were unable to prevent the crowd massing on the wharf and being in imminent danger of being pushed over. The mayor issued a statement warmly commending the prompt action of the Emden’s officers which meant the saving of many lives.

Capetown, January 17

An extraordinary incident occurred in connection with the visit of the German cruiser Emden. When the ship was thrown open to visitors an enormous crowd assembled on the wharf. The gangways became congested and so great was the push that the gangways were withdrawn. The crowd on the wharf increased and suddenly a German sailor on board, instructed by an officer, turned a hose on the crowd. This was done several times and many ladies who were in summer hats and frocks were drenched, and in the stampede which followed some fainted. Much indignation has been expressed, but on the other hand some spectators maintain that the ship’s action averted a tragedy by preventing an attempt to rush the ship.—A. and N.Z.

GERMAN PRESS COMMENTS

(Rec. 7.20 p.m.)

Berlin, January 17

The attitude of the German papers on the Emden’s hosepipe exploit at Capetown are most characteristic.

Herr Stresseman’s organ correctly pro misos an inquiry by a naval authority, and demands the severest punishment of the guilty if the British report is correct. The Chauvinistic Lokal Anzeiger, on the contrary, says that the people of Capetown should be grateful to the Emden’s crew, whose presence of mind saved many lives. The Berliner Tageblatt pronounces that it was a regrettable blunder, and urges that everything be done to counter the unedifying water pantomime as quickly as possible —A. and N.Z.