THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 15, 1939
Commanding Officer Of Nazi Ship Among Wounded
ADMIRALTY POCKET-BATTLESHIP LICKING
ISSUES STATEMENT
London, To-day. An Admiralty com- munique, issued at 6.40 last evening, stated: "No reports have been receiv- ed of killed and wounded in the British ships which participated in the sharp action yesterday off Montevideo. These will be published the moment they are received.
"Despite the damage which caused Exeter to drop out of the engagement the two small 6-inch cruisers pursued the German pocket-battleship into the Plate River, and now await her in the Estuary where they have been strong- ly reinforced.
understood
"It must be
that very large forces have been em- ployed for many weeks searching the vast spaces of the South At- and lantic, both by sea and air, that much time and many disap- pointments were inevitable before the ralder could be found. "It is remarkable how little drance Graf Spee had been able to in- flict upon the movements of hundreds of ships during the two months she has been at large.
hin-
HER WOUNDS
London, To-day.
THE LATEST, BUT NOW badly damaged, Nazi pocket-battleship is now licking her wounds, which are plainly visible from the shore, in Monte- video Harbour, while outside British warships are sailing up and down, on patrol.
The German Minister has boarded her and found 361
The
killed and 60 wounded; the latter include the commander of the Admiral Graf Spee. British losses are not yet known, but all three ships
are still able to keep Exeter, Ajax and Achilles-
on the high seas under their own power. damage to the Admiral Graf Spee has put the Germans in somewhat of a predicament. The German Minister in Montevideo says that she was forced into harbour by lack of fuel.
At the same time, in Berlin the of- ficial German news agency was alleg- British warships used ing that the mustard-gas which spoiled part of the ship's food, and that was why she put in to Montevideo.
Cables from Montevideo itself, how- ever, state that when dawn broke yes- terday morning those on shore could clearly see the damage sustained by the ship in the battle.
LOVE TOKEN
STORY
That she had become betrothed to him. with the gift of a gold ring, one night when he was invited to sit in her house, was the defence of Hui Ka-wo, 25, charged this morning with larceny by trick from Cheng Hung, 20-year- old widow.
Det.-Sgt. C. Dowman, prosecuting, said accused on a visit to the house,
There were four large shell holes and lesser damage. The large holes were two in the con- and trol tower, one In the stern one in the bow. Other damage Included five holes just above the water-line, while the ship's aero- planes wore also battered about.
MUSTARD GAS! Referring to the allegation of mus- by the Emden in the Great War, her tard-gas, Mr. Chamberlain, in the located accused and had him brought depredations have been small.
House of Commons yesterday after-back to Hong Kong.
LITTLE MISCHIEF
"Compared to the mischief wrought
the "As soon as further details of encounter are received the Admiralty will publish another statement dealing with the conduct of the officers and the command of who, under Commodore Harwood, encountered and chased from the sea a vessel so much their superior in weight of metal."- Reuter,
men
Miss. B. Cartwright, of No. 29B, Nathan Road, has reported the theft of a jewellery box, containing gold rings valued at $100, from her bed
room.
asked the woman to let him try on her ring. As soon as he put it on his finger, he ran out of the house.
Cheng Hung went to Macao and
noon; said:"This characteristic state- Accused alleged that she gave the ment is, of course, without foundation. ring to him as a present. He sold In no case have gas shells or grenadesit to a gold smith shop for $18. ever been made for or used by any
Accused was placed on a $50 bond ships of His Majesty's Navy."
for one year and ordered to pay $20 compensation, or serve one month's imprisonment with hard labour.
Mr. Atlee, leader of the Opposition, joined in the congratulations given to the Royal Navy by Mr. Chamberlain, and said that the way in which the three comparatively smaller ships
John Rugg, 35, a seaman employed tackled the German ship, stuck to her
a on the s.s. Benclench, was admitted and forced her to take shelter in neutral harbour is worthy of the high-to Kowloon Hospital yesterday suffer- est traditions of the British Navy.-ing from injuries caused by a fall on Router.
board. His condition is not serious.
A close-up of the German rocket-battleship, Graf von 8pee, whose career, for the duration, appears now to be ended. Examination of the ship after the most dramatic action of the war showed her to be gaping with holes. Exeter, Alax and Achilles have béen able to keep at sea and maintain patrol against any attempt by the von Sose to escape, Indicating that Exoter, which was damaged, is not so seriously affected as was at first bellevad,
DUCHESS DISASTER
London, To-day.
No list of casualties on board the destroyer Duchess, which sank following a collision with another British ship, has yet been issued.
Sole surviving officer is Pro- bationary Lieutenant J. R. Prit- chard, R.N.V.R.-Router.
BRITISH
VIEW OF LAW OF REFUGE
London, To-day.
In the House of Lords, the Minister for the Co-ordina- tion of Defence stated that international law in relation to the Graf Spee was under active examination between the British and Uruguayan Governments.
It is pointed out in naval circles in London that the provisions of Articles 14 and 17 of the Hague Convention of 1907, which contain rules relating to repair in neutral ports of belligerent warships, do not distinguish between damage sustained in action and dam- age from other causes.
BRITISH VIEW
There is substantial support for the view that an extension of stay or use of shore facilities to repair damage due to enemy action should not be allow- ed, and a number of neutral govern- ments have issued express regulations denying the use of shore facilities or any extension of the permitted stay beyond 24 hours if damage is due to enemy action.-British Wireless.
BRITISH PROTEST
London, To-day. At question time in the House of Commons yesterday the Prime Minis- ter said the British Ambassador in Tokyo on October 10 made strong re- presentations to the Japanese Govern- ment regarding the non-payment of interest due to British shareholders of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway.
The Ambassador would continue to press the matter when opportunity of- fared.-Reuter.
HOUSE OF COMMONS IN RECESS
London, To-day. Parliament has adjourned for the Christmas recess until January 16- Reuter.