Sunken German Ships.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 June 1919, Page 5

Sunken German Ships.

GERMAN 5:3.1LG.7.§’,;3 HANG CAPTAIN

‘LONDON, June "25. Some Gcrxnun sailors hanged their captain -at Scapa. Flow, prio_r to scuttling -the ship.

OPINIONS Ol‘ BRITISH ADMIRALS.

{ ?SERVES Us I_%IGHT. U FOR TRUSTING ‘THE HUNS. Received June 27, 11.55 .a.m. LONDON, June 22. Naval Writers point out We are not ,legally"entitled to place armed guards ‘aboard the German fleet. The navy ‘maintained this attitude with studious correctness. It may be folly, but it was British tradition. At least one ‘ trawler was constantly drifting up and -down -the line of interned warships, ‘keeping Watch. None of the German crews were allowed to leave the ships. ‘lt would have seemed impossible that . all the ships could settle down and sink ‘without the British admiral commanding the guardships which guarded the entrances learning something SU.SpiC.ions was afoot. Unless the Germans .sccrretly -smuggled infernal machines taboard, which is doubtful, they probtlably prepared additional inlets for water, supplementing the ordinary Kingston valves, to accelerate the sinking. The German crews were relieved monthly, and returned to -Germany. They received all rations from Germany. It is recalled that Admiral Von Reuter, who was commanding the interned fleet, burst. into tears, complaining that Admiral Beatty’s order to haul down the German flag was not in keeping with his ideas of chivalry between honourable opponents. Reuter, after making an urgent petition and‘ pleading sickness, Was permitted to return to Germany teniporarilyg. This is ‘ interpreted as to mean that he was sick of Scapa Flow. His speedy. return .to the fleet indicated that he was equally ‘ dissatisfied with Germany. It is impos- 1 sible that Renter planned the final‘ coup. ’ . v - 4

The Admiralty has not disclosed what action will be taken. ’ Admiral Cyprian Bridge, interviewed,‘ suggests the seu-ttling‘ was carried out. under in-structiol.ls~')reeeive'd secreltly from Berlin.- The, crews should be courtmartialled. Their a‘c,t'ions- shows the Germans are still without a sense of honour and decency. This is a piece of graluitous iniquity. The harm must bf measured by ‘the time, trouble, and expense of raising, because the ships must be cleared in order -to clear the anchorage, although not in the fairway. The whole aifair is frankly dishonourable, and intended as a direct insult.

Adfniral Percy Scott, int/ervieweid, said the incident serves us right for {rusting the Hnns 'throughout the War. They have shown ’r.he_v are not :1 c'ivi\l-V is(~d'race. but barbarians. ' ‘ ‘_ V Another p'fio'minent adm-irAal‘ é x.ém-' pli'fi'o.s’ the GCl'm~ang'; aé 11nW0rt}iy of our 'mllsiderat'f6n. 2136 did not rbfrain frdm tféachéry 'e‘ven_ when ‘the faté of" ‘H1011; bmpirc. was inVt.'h'é balance.‘