"DER TAG."

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1918, Page 5

"DER TAG."

SURRENDER OF GERMAN FLEET.

A Memorable Scene.

All Modern German Vessels.

Now in British Possession

Received Nov. 23, 2.40 p.m,

iiondon, Nov. 21.

"Der Tag" proved very different from the expectations entertained by, German naval circles four years ago. It was a fine, moonlight night when the Allied fleets weighed ancikor, and at 3 a.m. proceeded to the place of rendezvous, sixty jniles from the Scotch coast

Admiral B,eatty put to sea in two single lines, six miles apart, to enable the surrendering fleet to come up the centre. At !U0 the leading German ship was seen five miles away. It proved to be the battle-cruiser Seydlitz, flying Commodore Tagcrt's permon, followed by the Derflinger, tlhe Moltke, the Hindenburg, and the Von der Tann. The Allied fleet was instructed not to relax vigilance, and if any nonsense were attempted they were ready for immediate action. However, arrangements were completed without a hitch.

Tile surrenderee approached in single column three cables apart. The battlesllaps were fallowed by light cruisers,.which wer9 three miles astern, and passed between the Allied lines. It was a stately procession. There was not a sound from the Allied lines while the Germans passed. Then Admiral Beatty, m the Queen Elizabeth, came through the lines, and the men aboard every ship gave vent to their repressed emotions. There were amazing demonstrations of affection for the admiral.

There had been some grumbles in French newspapers that the Allies had not confiscated all the German ships, but it is pointed out that every German capital ship built since 1910, excepting the Lutzow and Worth, are now moored in the Firth of Forth, where they are being examined beforo being interned at Scapa Flow.

In connection with the surrender of the second batch, of 19 submarines, the battleship Heligoland, unarmed, led them to Harwich. The commander of one submarine angrily ejaculated: "We'll be back for them soon."

Received Nov. 24, 5.5 p.m. London, Noy 22.

The surrendered warships included the light cruisers Einden, Frankfurt, and Nurnberg, also 49 destroyers, and the battle-cruisers Kcenig and Maekensen. Two light cruisers are still to be surrendered.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

ADMIRALTY CONGRATULATIONS.

TO NAVY AND MARINES.

AN UNPARALLELED TRIUMPH.

Received Nov. 25, 12.20 a-m. London, Nov. 2£

The Board of Admiralty has issued a message congratulating the officers and men of the Royal' Navy and Royal Marines on the completion of their grejt work, a triumph to which history knows no parallel.

The surrender of the German fleet was accomplished without g. §hot or battle, and will remain for all time an example of the wonderful sureness with which sea-power attains its end. The world recognis.is that this consummation was due to ths steadfastness with which the Navy maintained its pressure on the enemy through more than four years of war, a pressure exerted no less •insistently during the long monotony ■of waiting than in the rare opportunities of attack.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Renter.