EMPIRE TINGLES

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

EMPIRE TINGLES

PRIDE AND SATISFACTION A THRILLING DRAMA ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT (Official Wireless) (Received Dec. 18, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 17 The newspapers reflect the great interest aroused by the dramatic naval situation in the South Atlantic. The German ship Admiral Graf Spee must leave Montevideo harbour within a few hours or accept internment vy the Uruguayan authorities for the duration of the war. The Sunday newspapers comment on Wednesday’s engagement. The Observer says: “The British Navy delivered a resounding stroke that makes the whole Empire tingle with pride and satisfaction. The cruisers which sent the far more powerful pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spec staggering into neutral shelter have registered the most dramatic victory of the still young war. “There is little need to trumpet its significance. That is done with sufficient emphasis by the onlooking world. Neutral comment has no hesitation either in proclaiming its completeness and importance or in dismissing the silly automatic lie from Berlin ascribing it to gas shells. There are events that make perversities of '..-/paganda merely advertise their own character.” The Sunday Times complains of the lack of information shown by those who regard this as a dull wai and reminds them:

“There is being enacted on sea and in the air around these islands and on the ocean routes far distant a drama that must thrill everyone who asks himself what it means. The epic story of the first great sea fight illuminates as with a flash the darkened scene on which this great drama is being enacted.”

THE ROYAL FAMILY

ATTEND CHURCH SERVICE AT THE GUARDS’ CHAPEL (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrtsnt; (Received Dec. 18, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 17 The King and Queen attended the morning service at the Guards’ Chapel at Wellington Barracks today.

MORE SHIPS MINED

LANDING OF SURVIVORS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlg&t; LONDON, Dec. 16 The British motor-tanker Atheltemplar (8939 tons) was seriously damaged by enemy action off the east coast yesterday. The survivors of the Atheltemplar and the lnverlane (9141 tons; were landed at a north-east port. Both ships were mined within half an hour. The Atheltemplar was reached by a tug. Two of her crew were lost, but the other 38 escaped in boats, which were picked up by a trawler. The Inverlane caught fire. Her London managers state that three men are missing of a crew of 40. The remainder were landed at an east coast port. The Paris radio reports that three German ships, the Werdenfels C 63J 3 tons), the Lindenfels (8457 tons) and the Wagens, unregistered (5000 tons) have been seized at Sabang in the Dutch East Indies on behalf of the foreign company which claims large sums from the German shipowners. New Phase of Warfare At least three ships were attacked Ly submarines last week v/hile in Norwegian territorial waters. This new phase of German warfare is viewed very seriously by the Admiralty, which will possibly adopt reprisals, unless it is ended. Seven Hours in Open Boat

The Newcastle steamer Amble was mined and sunk in the North Sea. All 17 members of the crew were oicked up after seven hours in open boats and landed at a port.