AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

REVOLT IN THE NAVY. I FOUR CREWS ajOTINY. A CRUISER SEIZED. BUT RECAPTURED. Copenhagen, Oct. 10. In the Reichstag. Admiral von Capelle made a sensational statement. lie disclosed a plan to introduce Russian revolutionary ideas into the German navy. He asserted that Independent Socialist members of the Reichstag, in the course of a conference actually in the Reichstag building, approved a scheme •whereby representatives should be selected on board all ships who should persuade the men to disobey orders, paralyse the fleet, and force the conclusion of peace. He .was able to state the subsequent events in the navy where a few persons who forgot honor and duty suffered the de- ' sened penalty. | Received Oct. 11, 5.6 p.m. London, Oct. 10. [ In connection with Admiral von Capelle's disclosures, it is stßted the crews |of four German battleships mutinied. ! The captain of the Westfalen was ! drowned. The cruiser Nurnberg was seized and headed for Norway, but a flotilla recaptured the vessel. The Kaiser ordered executions, but Dr. Michaelis vetoed his order. | FIVE CREWS; MUTINY.

A CAPTAIN THROWN OVERBOARD. CRUISER HEADS FOR NORWAY. BUT HELD UP BY TORPEDO CRAFT. KAISER'S ORDERS DISOBEYED. Received Oct. 11, 8.20 p.m. Amsterdam, Oct. 11. Details of mutiny show that the sailors threw the captain of the Westfaleii into the sea. The body was recovered eight days later. The mutiiiocrs leit the ships and went ashore. Marines were ordered to attack tliem, but refused. The Oldenburg regiment was called out, and surrounded the mutineers, who surrendered. In addition to the mutinous crews of four 'battleships, the crew of the Nuraberg, which was at sea, revolted and seized the officers, and headed the vessel for .Norway, with the object of getting themselves interned. En route the Nurnberg encountered a torpedo boat flotilla, which signalled the Nurnberg. The latter made no reply, and the commander of the flotilla, becoming suspicious, wirelessed to Wilhelmshaven. He received instructions to stop or sink the Nurnberg. The crew of the latter, seeing the ship surrounded, surrendered, and the Nurnberg was convoyed to Wilhelmshaven. The Kaiser, accompanied by Dr. Michaelis, came to Wilhelmshaven, and ordered one out of every seven of the mutineers to be shot.

Dr. Michaelis objected, being unable to assume such responsibility before the Reichstag. Eventually only three were shot, the others being heavily sentenced. One of the reasons for the mutiny is said to be bad and inadequate food.

WIDESPREAD SEDITION.

BOTH- IN NAVY AND ARMY. Received Oct. 11, 5.30 p.m. 'Rotterdam, Oct. 10. The revolt occurred at Willielmshavcn six weeks ago. Tlie inquiry held subsequently showed widespread and organised sedition, which was suppressed with difficulty. There were also several mutinies in the army, but or a less grave nature. A COMMOTION IN GERMANY. POLICE CHARGE DEMONSTRATORS. i iteecived Oct. 11, 5.30 p.m. "~' r " l ' Rome, Oct. 10. Berlin advices show that the Reichstag revelations have caused a commotion ill Germany, The police charged demonstrators in Berlin, ~ ' . HUN PRESS COMMENTS. 'A "SAD NAVAL TRAGEDY,"- <S\

Received Oct, 11, 9 p.iri, London, Oct, lfli. Leading German newspapers deal guardedly with the mutiny. The Vossische Zeitung considers the fiffair very regrettable, but regards the manner of the revelation as an important Government coup, in view of the outcry against the Government's pro-war .propaganda in the army and navy. The Berliner Tagcblatt deplores the disclosure of this profoundly sad naval tragedy in the midst of a political struggle, and hopes the Reichstag will hand over to justice the Independent Socialist leaders, if proved guilty. The Vorwaerts, in an article entitled "Michaelis's End," censures the Chancellor for dishing up the revolt without proving the allegations against the Independent Socialists,