AMAZING TALE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 526, 1 December 1928, Page 9

AMAZING TALE

Kaiser’s Default from German Fleet ANGRY ADMIRAL f.luslrrtliart and -V.Z. Press Association) (United Service) Reed. Noon. AMSTERDAM, Friday. The "Telegraf’* publishes a remarkable story of how, when the German fleet was ordered to attack the British iu October, 1918, Admiral Reinhold vou Scheer, who died the other day, onlyagreed to do so if abe Kaiser accompanied him in the flagship ami assumed nominally supreme command. The naval chiefs, also Marshal Hindenburg, supported vou Scheer and Admiral Tirpitz, emphasising that the Kaiser's presence in the fleet would rally all sections to the throne. Admiral von Scheer thereupon went to Berlin, where the Kaiser was delighted with the idea. He said, “1 cannot conceive a more noble death than at the head of the fleet in a last glorious attempt to defend our freedom and honour.” Von Scheer went to Kiel to complete arrangements, but just before he was due to sail the Kaiser sent a message that he had decided not to accompany, insisting on the fleet’s sailing. The admiral tore up and burned the message in order to prevent the Kaiser's “confession of cowardice” ever becoming known. He announced that he refused to sail and instead he occupied Kiel, wherewith a revolt in the navy began. Von Scheer informed the Minister of Internal Affairs that he intended to occupy Kiel until the new Government was established. He added that tho following inscription could be placed on the grave of the fleet, “She chose disgrace, rather than fight the battles of a coward.”