WORK OF REPAIR

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20989, 16 December 1939, Page 7

WORK OF REPAIR

GAS ALLEGATION

PRISONERS OF WAR

GRAF SPEE IN PORT BURIAL OF THE DEAD VIGIL BY CRUISERS ,United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlgnt) MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 15 The Admiral Graf Spee has prepared to repair the damage done in Wednesday’s battle with her own crew, following the refusal of the port workers to work for any company which undertook the contract. While the decision of the Uruguayan Government regarding the time she will be allowed to remain is being awaited, the German vessel is loading a large number of welding tanks, heavy plates and other metali. At the same time, preparations have been made for the burial of her dead in a single large grave in the north cemetery. A guard of honour has been stood over the wooden coffins, draped with swastika flags, and the 'ceremony is set for 10 a.m.

The police have taken precautions against disturbances, since a large, section of the public of Montevideo is displaying illwill toward the Germans. Repairs to H.M.S. Exeter The British cruiser Exeter is proceeding to the Argentine navaLbase of Puerto Belgrano, where sh®will go into dry dock for repairs, while the Archilles and the Ajax, which are reported to have been reinforced by several heavy vessels, maintain the vigil in the estuary of the River Plate Their crews are kept at action stations and they are taking no chances lest the Admiral Graf Spee should try to escape. Regarding the claims from Berlin that German wounded had been blinded by mustard gas, Dr. Walter Meethoff has examined several men thoroughly, and declares he found they had been hit by shell fragments. There were no traces of gas. Damage to Graf Spee Captain Neibuhr Dietrich, German naval attache at Buenos Aires, has examined the Admiral Graf Spee, and another investigation has been made by Uruguayan experts, after which, it is reported it was found the ship is navigable, but the control tower for the six 11-inch guns has been destroyed. This means that if the ship put to sea immediately she would be able to use only her secondary battery of eight 5.9-inch guns. If these reports are true, it is assumed Uruguay will ask the Admiral Graf Spee to leave at 8.50 p.m. (Montevideo time) or accept internment.

DENIED BY PRISONERS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 16, 11.30 a.m.) MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 15 Denying the German allegations, that gas was used, the Admiral Graf Spee’s British prisoners stress that the Germans wore gas-masks. The prisoners were not masked, yet they were not affected. They added that it was true that food was spoiled by a shell exploding in the galley.

CAPTURED FROM U-BOATS (Official Wireless) (Received Dec. 16, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 15 The War Office announced last night a list of prisoners of war captured from U-boats and a further list of six was announced this morning.