THE GERMAN FLEET

Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1919, Page 5

THE GERMAN FLEET

THE ARMISTICE OBEYED. .WflY BRITISH WERE NOT ABOARD THE SHD?S. By Telegraph— A3sn.—-CopyriEttt. Received June 29, 5.5 p.m. London, June 24. In the House of Commons Mr. 6. Lambert, in reply to questions, said that Admiral von Reuter would have encountered no difficulty in circulating orders to scuttle the ships, since he was allowed to visit them for the purpose of maintaining discipline, and when so doing he was conducted to and from the ships in a British boat. Putting British guards aboard the German ships would unquestionably have been a breach of the terms of the armistice. Britain acted as she acted in every other matter—by obeying the terms of the armistice and adhering to the laws of war and honor. —Reuter.

EYE-WITNESS' ACCOUNT. GERMANS' IMPUDENT BEHAVIOUR. SOME GET SHORT SERIE'X. Received June 25, 5.5 p.m. London, June 24. The marine artist to the American Government (Mr. Gribble), while cruising around the German fleet aboard the captured trawler Sochosin (commander, Lieutenant Leeth), was astonished to seethe ships begin to disappear. The first he noticed was that the sailors of the Friedrich der Grosse and Frankfurt were throwing their baggage into boats at headlong speed, and followed themselves. He asked Commander Leeth: "Do you allow them joy rides?" Leeth looked, hesitated, and then exclaimed: "By jove! They're scuttling and abandoning the ships." He ordered the Germans to return or he would fire. The Germans cried: "We've not got oars." A British sailor threw oars into the , water, exclaiming: "Here you are, you swine." Boats continued to approach, despite the warning. Ofiicers were brazenly impudent, and demanded to be taken aboard the Sochosin. As they persisted, Commander Leeth ordered the crew to open Are, and a German officer roared: "You've killed four of my men." Leeth replied: "Get back to your ships." The officer replied: "We can't; they're sinking." As he spoke the Friedrich der Grosse turned turtle.

The Sochosin signalled to the coastguards, requesting them to wireless the Grand Fleet. It was two hours before the first destroyer arrived. Meanwhile tjhe Germans daringly endeavored to board the Sochosin, but the crew compelled them to keep off with revolvers. One after another of the German vessels listed, turned turtle and sank, the sea being dotted with the German crews in boats, who cheered each ship as she sank.

The Hindenburg hoisted the German Ensign, but the others had two code flags at the peak, which Mr. Gribble the previous day had noticed flying on the Emden. The whole fleet, answering the Seydlitz, turned turtle, but remained visible.

The Sochosin kept passing over the sunken vessels, signalling and sounding hooters. It was noticed that a number of the abandoned German steam pinnaces from the battleships had been deserted, and that lifebelts were floating; apparently, the pinnace crews had been drowned. Destroyers, seeing the Emden in trouble, attempted to take her in tow, but amidst the confusion one vessel collided with and smashed the Emden's gangways. Ultimately they succeeded in beaching the Emden.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.

KIEL WARSHIPS AFLOAT. Received June 29, 5.5 p.m. London, June 27. The Admiralty reports that the German warships at Kiel are afloat.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. FRANCE COMPENSATED. Received June 28, 3 p.m. Paris, June 20. The Petit Journal, commenting on the sinkings, recalls that France claimed a portion. The demands of France were compensated by enemy submarines entrusted to her, also a number of German merchantmen. FEELING IN GERMANY. Received June 28, 3 p.m. Copenhagen, June 28. The sinking is condemned by the German Left press and praised by the Right press. The Lokal Anzciger speaks of the brave men preferring death to dishonor.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.