VANQUISHED SHIP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1939, Page 7

VANQUISHED SHIP

SHOWING GAPING HOLES IN HULL INCAPABLE OF DEPARTING IMMEDIATELY. SOME DETAILS OF THE BATTLE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. NEW YORK. December 14. The Admiral Graf Spee at Montevideo disembarked thir-ty-six dead and sixty woutjded, while a few miles away watchfully lay the British cruisers which defeated her in an eighteen-honr running battle, the biggest and most dramatic engagement of the war. A silent awed crowd jammed the waterfront to wit ness Ihe easiia It ies 1 a ken ashore. The vanquished Nazi ship has three gaping holes in the hull, superstructure and forecastle and other scars. The commander was slightly injured, and one of the officers is dead. The Admiral Graf Spee’s damage is such that she is unable to depart immediately. It was indicated that she would be given time for repairs before internment proceedings are instituted. It is reported that a captain and others from six captured British merchantmen would be released here.

FOAMING INTO ACTION. The "New York Times" correspondent says the Ajax was convoying the French liner Formosa from Rio de Janeiro to Montevideo when the Admiral Graf Spee opened fire. A wireless message brought the Exeter and the Achilles foaming into action. The Formosa hurried to safety. During the first intense action the Admiral Graf Spee tried vainly to outrun and out-manoeuvre the British ships, while the firing continued for four hours. The Exeter's guns inflicted the first heavy damage on the enemy while the lighter British ship maintained contact fearlessly and effectively. Thereupon, the Admiral Graf Spee, now leading the chase southward, devoted all her attention to the Exeter, whose steering gear was damaged, forcing her to quit the battle, but during the latter engagement the Admiral Graf Spee was so badly crippled that she made full speed toward the coast. The Ajax and Achilles doggedly pursued. When off Punta del Este the British ships steamed swiftly westward, taking advantage of the setting sun to get the Admiral Graf Spee silhouetted against the reflection in the eastern sky while they were protected by the land’s shadow. This forced the Admiral Graf Spee to change course to her disadvantage, subjecting her to heavy lire. GUNS BLAZING AT NIGHTFALL. Thus night fell with the guns blazing. It was a picturesque sight for the many watchers ashore. Finally the Admiral Graf Spee managed to reach the entrance of the River Plate and the British ships ceased firing. The Montevideo correspondent of the United Press of America states that the President’s secretary announced that the Admiral Graf Spee will be allowed to remain for 30 days to effect repairs. Several doctors boarded the Exeter but the British casualties were not announced.

A London message says the legal position is that the Admiral Graf Spee is now governed by the Hague Convention of 1907, permitting damaged belligerent warships to remain in a neutral port for more than 24 hours, but only to carry out essential repairs. It does not distinguish between damage by weather and damage in battle. Informed circles in Washington believe there will be no repercussions in connection with Pan-American neutrality since a naval engagement among belligerents did not affect neutrals.

The Exeter is not believed to have been seriously damaged it was stated from Daventry this morning. The other two cruisers had steamed away from Montevideo and were out of sight of the shore.

The question of how long the German battleship might remain in a neutral port depended on the definition of the word "seaworthy." If she was seaworthy she must leave in 24 hours. If she was not seaworthy she might remain, but not to rearm. A German radio station had referred to a "successful engagement," but had stiid that an exact picture of the battle could not be given because up till then British reports only were available.

LEGAL POSITION BATTLESHIP MUST LEAVE OR BE INTERNED. UNITED STATES OPINION. (Received This Dav, 9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON,’ December 14. Under the United States conception of international law the Graf Spee cannot remain in Montevideo repairing damage caused by enemy fire. It is believed that a similar view prevails in Latin America, suggesting that she must go to sea unrepaired or risk internment throughout the war. BRITISH WOUNDED LANDED AT MONTEVIDEO. ANOTHER VIEW OF LEGAL POSITION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) RUGBY. December 14. In connection with the naval engagement. reports from Montevideo state that wounded from British warships, which followed the enemy vessel into the outer harbour, arc also being landed. International law permits belligerent warships to take refuge in neutral waters and remain until repairs, sufficient to make them seaworthy are effected. after which they must leave, subject t<> 24 hours’ notice.