REPAIRING DAMAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20990, 18 December 1939, Page 7

REPAIRING DAMAGE

READY TO FIGHT OR RUN BRITISH LIE IN WAIT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 17 The crew of the Admiral Graf Spee worked feverishly yesterday to repair the damage done by the British cruisers Exeter, Achilles and Ajax in Wednesday’s battle. Rain in the afternoon reduced visibility to a mile and gave her a chance to escape. Officers who were ashore returned to the ship, after which increased smoke was visible at her funnel, but she did not move. The rain later ceased and visibility increased. At an early hour this morning, however, with many repairs made and a stock of provisions on board, the Graf Spee was apparently ready to fight or run the Allied blockade. Half an hour after midnight small craft and barges were ordered away, and the ship lay with her bow toward the opening in the breakwater. In spite of favourable conditions, however, the moon having set and there being a slight fog, she had not moved by 2.30 a.m.

During yesterday Captain Hans Langsdorff, commander of the Admiral Graf Spee, high Italian and German diplomats and the Uruguayan Rear-Admiral Reute, who is of German descent and was educated in Germany, conferred at the German Legation. It is learned from an official source that Captain Langsdorff considered going to Buenos Aires, but when the subject was broached unofficially the Germans were informed that the Graf Spee would not be allowed to remain over 24 hours in any Argentine port. German sources declare that German warships and possibly submarines are assembling to combat the waiting British cruisers, and add that German prestige will not permit the internment of the Admiral Graf Spee. The Rome radio reports that the Admiral Scheer, sister-ship of the Admiral Graf Spee, escorted by submarines, is proceeding to Montevideo. The strength of the British sauadron waiting outside the port is the subject of conflicting reports, but naturally it has not been made known. One report says that there are seven vessels, including one French—posi sibly the fast battleship Dunkerque, j The Uruguayan Foreign Minister, ! Senor Alberto Guani, was under the strongest pressure all day yesterday from both Britain and Germany.

PLANES FIRED ON FLIGHT OVER HOLLAND (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlg-ht; (Received Dec. 18, 1 p.m.) THE HAGUE, Dec. 17 The anti-aircraft batteries at Utrecht fired on a number of unidentified foreign planes flying over the city at noon. The planes rose and disappeared.

The Germans declined to accent the time limit, are insisting upon an unlimited extension on the ground that it is impossible to complete the repairs. The impression in Uruguayan circles is that the Germans are playing for time and are more interested in awaiting favourable circumstances for escape than in making repairs. The Uruguayan and Argentine Governments are determined to prevent, if possible, another naval action within the mouth of the River Plate, over the whole of which, although it is over 100 miles wide, they claim joint jurisdiction. It is understood their combined navies will begin pa - trolling the area at 5 p.m. to-day. It is officially stated from Rio de Janeiro, Argentina, that H.M.S. Renown has asked permission to enter the harbour.