REPORTS BY RADIO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1939, Page 7

REPORTS BY RADIO

GRAF SPEE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED GERMANS ALLEGE USE OF GAS SHELLS MR CHAMBERLAIN’S EMPHATIC DENIAL. PRAISE FOR BRITISH SHIPS. Daventry reports that the Uruguayan Cabinet has been summoned to consider the position of the Admiral Graf Spee. Outside the harbour in the wide estuary, three British warships are patrolling, ready for any move. The Graf Spee has kept most of her dead and wounded aboard. According to German sources there are 36 dead and 60 wounded. By using smoke screens, the British cruisers made lightningthrusts with such effect that the Graf Spee was forced to retreat and seek refuge in a neutral port. Heavy damage is clearly to be perceived on the warship from the shore. Four large holes can be seen, two in the control tower, one in the stern, and one in the bow, while five other holes are vis-' ible just above the waterline. The aircraft is badly damaged. The Germans allege that the British used mustard gas, but Mr Chamberlain speaking in the House of Commons, said the allegations was entirely without foundation. No gas shells or grenades had ever been made for naval use by any ships of the British Navy. He said there was no doubt that the British ships had fought a gallant action, in which three comparatively small ships had forced a powerful enemy warship into port, an action which might well result in freeing the South Atlantic from the depredations of this, raider.