BY ORDER OF OUR NAVY

Taihape Daily Times, 12 February 1919, Page 5

BY ORDER OF OUR NAVY

HUN ADMIRAL’S BROUGHT TO HEEL. SIR D. BEATTY’S COMMANDS “Look how the Lion of the Sea lifts up his ancient crown.” The Admiral Commanding-in-Chief of the British Grand Fleet is keeping strict discipline in the ex-High Seas Fleet of the ex-Kaiser.

It is now officially revealed how our sea victor, Sir David Beatty, commanding the two lines of battle, ’each thirteen miles long, and headed by H.M. ships Queen Elizabeth and Lion, replied sharply and decisively to the surrendering German Admiral von Reuter, who brought the" pride of the ex-Kaiser’s navy to the Firth of Forth.

Yon Reuter had, immediately after the bringing of his navy to the Forth protested against Sir David’s famous signals:— \ “The German flag is ’to be hauled down at 3.57 p.m. sunset, and is ‘not’ to be hoisted again without permission- ’ ’

Von ’Reuter h|a.d asked ithat thus order should be cancelled "because the fleets had waged honourable war! ”

Sir David Beatty’s reply was swift and direct. The armistice only suspends hostilities, and now.

“A state of war still exists between Germany and the Allied and Nations, In these circumstances no enemy vessel can be permitted to fly its national ensign in British ports whilst under custody. 1 ’

It is almost superfluous to recall now other's 'of Sir David Bea/tty’s peremptory messages to the enemy admirals. Such as:

“Request you will report on sink* ing of U 93 (a submarine which started to cross to surrender, but was reported lost by the w:ay) as same appeared/ avoidable.’’ “Torpedob's you failed . tyx siend with last convoy of submarines you will forward by next transport* ** “You will stop using your wireless till further orders.’’