BLOW TO PRESTIGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 December 1939, Page 5

BLOW TO PRESTIGE

IGNOMINIOUS END CHOSEN BY NAZIS COMMENT IN UNITED STATES & BRITAIN. HALTING ADMISSIONS MADE IN BERLIN. NEW YORK, December 18. The “Herald Tribune." in an editorial, deals with the ignominous end of the Admiral Graf Spee, contrasting its unheroic scuttling with the conduct of the original Admiral von Spee. The naval correspondent of the “New York Times” says the scuttling is a blow to the prestige and morale of the German navy and perhaps the nation. The “New York Times,” in an editorial, praises the British seamanship and Uruguay’s firmness in respect to international law. A London report says a statement by a high naval authority published in “The Times” says the scuttling of the Admiral Graf Spee, which would never have happened in the old German Navy, is more humiliating than if the Germans had submitted to internment. To have steamed out and fought would have been magnificent,” he said. “To have been interned would have been understandable. But they have chosen an ignominious end.” A message from Berlin says the official news agency stated that the commander scuttled the Admiral Graf Spee after Uruguay had refused the necessary time for repairs. The agency shortly before the sauttling issued a statement saying her mission was fulfilled and gave details of her captures and sinking. It admitted for ' the first time that superior Allied forces were awaiting her departure. The reports were given prominence in the early morning editions, indicating that the Government was preparing the people for her loss.

REPORTS BY RADIO GERMAN MAN IN THE STREET CONFUSED. EXPOSURE OF LYING PROPAGANDA. The evening papers in Berlin carry very brief messages of the Admiral Graf Spee, and the man in the street is baffled by the news, which conflicts with the announcement of a great naval victory a few days ago, a radio report states. The blowing up of the Graf Spee by the orders of Herr Hitler has been followed by a German protest against the action of the Government of Uruguay, on the ground that Uruguay’s refusal to give the necessary time to make the German battleship seaworthy was contrary to international law. The commander and officers of the Graf Spee have reached Buenos Aires. Uruguayan officials have started an investigation into the sinking of the Graf Spee. Some resentment is felt at Montevideo at the sinking of the warship in the approaches to the harbour, as it is feared the wreckage may be a danger to ships entering the port. The Renown and Ark Royal have left Rio de Janeiro, where they arrived yesterday.

WILL BE INTERNED THE GRAF SPEE’S CREW. ARRIVAL AT BUENOS AIRES. (Received This Day. 9.55 a.m.) NEW YORK, December 18. The Buenos Aires correspondent of the American Associated Press says the Graf Spee’s crew arrived aboard two tugboats and one barge. Captain Langsdorff was among the arrivals. The maritime police quickly surrounded the vessels and isolated the members of the crew. The German Legation said there were 1.000 arrivals including the Tacoma’s group. A high Argentine official said the Graf Spec's crew will bo interned