ECONOMICAL
THAT'S THE RIGHT WORD
1940-
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Hongkong Telegraph.
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FOUNDED 1041
No. 10010 ̇一拜禮 號八十月二十英港香 MONDAY,
DECEMBER 18, 1939. BAWA - 430.00 PER ANNUM
the tyre
with the TEETH
Last Moments of Admiral Graf Spee Described In Vivid, Exclusive Despatches CHINA STATION CRUISER STANDS
BY BLAZING GERMAN
CAPTAIN & CREW TO BE INTERNED
MONTEVIDEO, DEC. 18 (UP),-CONTRARY TO EARLIER REPORTS, CAPTAIN LANGDORF DID NOT GO DOWN WITH HIS SHIP.
IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED THAT THE COMMANDER OF THE SCUTTLED ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE IS NOW ABOARD A MOTOR LAUNCH EN ROUTE TO BAIRES.
He will presumably be interned for the dura- tion of the war as soon as he lands.
The Admiral Graf Spee has not completely sunk, and is still burning fiercely.
At 8.50 a.m. a third terrific explosion ripped
off the central control tower.
The ship's fuel oil-she is loaded with sufficient to carry her 10,000 miles-has provoked even greater fires, with the flame shooting twenty yards into the air.
The British cruiser Cumberland, former temporary flagship of the China Squadron, together with a British destroyer which cannot at present be identified, are the rapidly approaching
WANTED TO
FIGHT Captain Opposed Ignominious End
17
scene.
The German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. The vessel was named after the German Admiral who defeated Cradock at Coronel and was himself decisively beaten by Sturdce at the subsequent Battle of the Falkland Islands, going down with his flagship, the Scharnhorst. The word Coronel adorned the Admiral Graf Speo's superstructure.
All available, ships in Monte- video harbour have rushed to the scene. They include tugs, lighters, Inunches and even small 667 steamers.
The Argentinian gunboat. Libertad and an Uruguayan cruiser-also-rushed.up.
Bows Above Water
and from
LONDON. Dec.
The fires continue, to burn despite (Reuter). The ignominious
the fact that the Admiral Grat Spice end of the Graf Spee ap-is partially under water. The Ger- pears to have been contrary man warship's hows are out of water. to the personal wishes of mud is lost trots sight in the A minor explosion centred at 8.30 her commander.
pm, apparently from the ship's tor- pedoes.
Two tugs and a barge flying the Argentinian flag approached German warship before the first ex- plosions, and then withdrew to a safe distance.
Otherwise it is difficult to explain the extensive repaira effected on board before her departure.
During all Saturday-Sunday night, the sky in Montevideo harbour was: luminated vividly by electric weld era as new plates were affixed to her damaged hull.
Looked Good As New The big holes in the control tower were patched up and as she sailed out of harbour it was difficult, except for an expert, to detect signs of the mauling which she received in last Wednesday's naval battle..
Until her sudden right-about face In the Rio de Plata, it was believed: that Capt. Langdort might adhere to his original plan, which, it is be- lieved, envisaged a journey to Bucnos Aires to gain time while submarines and perhaps other surface craft were ready to join in action against the Allied armanda at the entrance to the Estuary,
· SHANGHAI COST
OF LIVING
steadily, as shown by records
11 is believed that the Argenilnian vessels helped to take off the Admiral Graf Spec's officers und crew.
It is confirmed that the entire crew of the German warship are safe.
The German Legation in Mon- icvideo has released a letter from Captain Langdorf, protesting against the Uruguayan decision to give the Admiral Graf Spen only 72 hours in which to leave port.
Captain Langdorf's letter ends: "Under these circumstances I have no other solution but to sink my ship,"
Planos Overhead SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 18 (Domei). Five British ship planes encircled the Grat Spee at its last low over
Britlala warships are rapid- moment.
beyond the ly closing in from
horizon.
Armour Torn To Fragments
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 17 (UP).- The explosions were caused in the
Wan
SHANGHAI, Dec. 18, (Ren-Admiral Graf Spee's munitions stores. ter)The cost of living In The four inch armour on the ship's:
torn literally
intof Shanghai continues
to mount aides
fragments.
The ship cank evenly until the drawn up by the Shanghai muddy waters of the River Plate Monicipal Council,
rushed a through the huge boles: According to these records, the then the Admiral Grat Spee listad following Increases In November, sharply.
1039, an compared with the average Huge clouds of smoke and steam for 1038, are noted:
almost obscured the erulser as sho
Food shows an increase of 140.03% went down, watched by hundreds of
Rent
ฟุ
Clothing
10
&
Fuel
Light show..
182.41thousands of awe-inspired spectators. 116.38% The first explosion occurred at 5.50
p.m. 205.01% The ship was scuttled outside the These figures relate to native pre- main access channel of the estuary's ducts only, imported articles rising path to Balrea in order not to inter-
In direct relation to foreign exchange. rupt traffic.
Latest Of Typo The purchasing power of the Chinese dollar, nccording to these
The Admiral Grat Spee was Jald statistics, is 39.20 per cent of its down of Wilhelmshaven in October valuo in 1930.
PLEASE To Turn Pago 4.
Pride Of Nazi Navy Meets Ignominious End
"Telegraph's" Exclusive Reports Of Scuttling Of The "Graf Spee"
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
MONTEVIDEO, DEC. 18 (UP).—RATHER THAN SUFFER THE HUMILIATION OF INTERNMENT FOR THE DURATION OF THE WAR, HITLER LAST NIGHT ORDERED THE DESTRUCTION OF THE PRIDE OF THE GERMAN NAVY, THE 10,000-TON 'POCKET BATTLE- SHIP' ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE.
The order was carried out by the Admiral Graf Spee's Commander, Captain Langdorf, at 7.25 p.m. (6.55 a.m. H.K.T.) to-day.
The Admiral Graf Spee was dynamited and scuttled five miles off Montevideo.
VIVID RADIO. BROADCAST
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
HYDE PARK, Dec. 18 (UP). One of the most vivid radio broadcasts ever mado. gave a "ball by ball" description of the end of the Admiral Gral Spee to American listeners.
A running commentary on the sinking of the Nazi pocket bai- fleship was broadcast over the American radio networks at an hour when most people were listening in. Milons heard the dramatic relay from Monte- video.
Lvng
listeners Among tho President Roosevelt, who at in his library at Hyde Park, with his receiver multched on.
President Roosevelt maintain- ed close personal contact with Mr. Cordell Hull. bis Secretary "of State, during the broadcast,
BRITON DETAINED
The warship weighed anchor shortly after 6 p.m., and cleared the Montevideo breakwater at from the 6.30 p.m., watched shore by a crowd of tens of thousands which included many of the British seamen released from her when she dashed into port on Thursday.
Captain's Last Words
Just before the warship left, Cap-
oficiala and sald:
tain Langdorf turned to Uruguayan
"I will try to clear the blockade. "If I cannot, I will sink my ship. Good-bye."
After clearing the breakwater, thu Admiral Graf Spee headed south.
At the estuary of the River Plate nhe stopped for half an hour whilst over 900 of her crew transferred to the 8,000-ton German freighter Tacomil.,
A few minutes two terrifle blasts.
later there were
The sides of the Admiral Graf Spey Ilterally stove u, and the warship burst into flames from end to end.
Disappears From View Within a few seconds of the two explosions the pride of the German Navy had disappeared from view.
The Tacoma slowly headed back to Montevideo where, presumably, the crew of the Admiral Graf Spee will be interned for the duration of the war.
of Montevideo, the vigil being main-
!
FINLAND'S APPEAL
President Asks For Material Aid
RAIDER
Third Power Shipping Will Be Permitted To Use River As Far As Nanking
YANGTSE RIVER TO BE RE-OPENED
SPECIAL TO THE
"TELEGRAPH"
SHANGHAI, Dec. 18 (Domei).-Japanese Army and Navy authorities have decided to make preparations for a conditional re-opening of the Yangtse River up to Nanking, the Japanese Army and Navy authorities here announced in a joint communique at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
"Graduni relaxation of the absolute military necessity re-
the closure of quiring the Yangtse had lately become pos- sible along the lower part of the River.
Exeter's Losses
"In view of the above, the military i and naval authorities in the field Iwith a view to lifting the closure of! the Yangtse below Nanking subject to restrictions required by military necessity and for the maintenance of order and public security so as to meet this new situation," the com- munique says.
have decided to make preparations Casualty List Issued
By Adiniralty
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
LONDON, Dec. 17 (UP). -The Admiralty has issued an official list of the dead on board H.M.S. Exeter.
CHILDREN The names of the officers in-
FOREGO PRIZES
C.B.S. Scholars Aid War Organisation Fund
SCHOOL-CHILDREN at the ¡Central British School have decided to forego their prizes this year in order to assist the British War Organisation Fund.
clude:
Lieutenant-Commander
Bowman-Manifold
John
Midshipman John 8. Nickord. Paymaster Sub-Lleutenant Donald II. Tyler
Captain
(Royal
Marinos)
Sub.
Humphrey R. D. Woods
Acting Sub-Lieutenent Clydə A. L. Morse (missing, belleved killed.)
Those wounded include:--- Probationary Temporary Lieutenant Jacke E. Causion
Acting Gunner Thomas Lynn Paymaster Midshipman Leslie D. E. Needham and W. Penn-Gaskell 61 Killed, 23 Wounded At the request of the children themselves, the sum of $129 which LONDON, Dec. 17 (Reuter).--The would ordinarily have been expended Admiralty announces that five ofleers on prizes has been handed to the were killed and free wounded, and Hongkong Branch of the B.W.OF. that 56 ratings were killed and With this and other donations, the 20 wounded on HLM.S. Exeter during Hongkong Fund now exceeds three the engagement with the Graf Spec. Tatths, the total this morning being! $314,097.20.
LATEST
now
Doctors Rush To Aid BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 17 (Reuter), Latest donation range from $1 to $3,000, the latter being from the is learned that eight doctors the Falkland Central Denk of China, Canton. have been sent to
Other four Ogure donations include 1slands from the Argentine to attend $1,100 from all contingents and the to the wounded from HM.S. Exeter.
The disabled cruiser has clerical staff of the Hongkong Police Force; $1,204.30 from the 8th Heavy arrived safely in the British naval Regiment of the Royal Artillery, und base in the Falklands.
The extent of the damage to the $1,000 each from the Nanyang Bros.
American ship has not been revealed. Tobacco Company, the SPECIAL TO THE "TELEURAPH"
Express Co. Inc., E.L.H., the Tsung HELSINGFORS, Dec. 17, Ching Refugee Relief Association, (UP). In a radio address to the and the St. Paul's Girls' College,
Hongkong Old Hurlburians have Army, President Kallio anneal-
subscribed $180, and $200 has been {ed to "all the clvilised world” to received from the Brethren of Zetland
nid Finland with war materials. Lodge.
The following is the latest list of He aald he could not believe! that the world would leave Fin-contributions:
Previously Acknowledged $290,701.DO Iand to fight alone and reiterat-F. T. Harris ed Finland's determination to Ladies Club fight on in the face of aggression, even if such aid was not forth-Nanyang Bros, Tobacco
Co. coming.
Tong Shlu Lum "We are deeply grateful for the American Express
Inc. economic help and sympathy that
Barracks
has fallen to our tot," the President Master and Officers SS. declored,
realise that in "But everyone modern war the decision lies with the instrument of defence which is suited to his particular purposes,
"Therefore, Finland needs further help then has so far been obtained during the war.
Can't Fight Alons
Stanley
Co.
15
200
1,000
20.52
1,000
Fotshan in memory of C. G. Rigby
ຝ່າຍ Some members of
Staff of Jardine Mathe- son & Co. a/c NovemI- ber
15
20
do
40
do
30
do
20
allque
150
50
PLEASE To Turn Page 4
Joseph Prentice, Monthly T. J. J. Fenwick E. P. Streatfield W. WV.Rbe
"If our cause is the folat cause Societe Commerciale Asl- of the whole alvilised world, we beliove that the civilised nailons Anonymous cannot leave us to fight alone on this front.
Taken Off Captured Neutral Steamer
Contrary to earlier reports, neither MOSCOW,. Dec. 17 (Reuter). Mr. George Gordon Verckor, the Renown nor the Ark Royal were M.C., Acting Counsellor at the tained by II.M.S. Achilles, H.M.S. British Embassy at Moscow, is Ajax, HMS. Darham, H.M.S. Cum-
But even if that should be true, presumed to be detained in berland and the French cruiser a case which we do not believe, tho Germany following the intercop Dunkerque.
afrcraft-Finnish people cannot yield in the But the battleship and
Įface of aggression,
It the principic of Justice. are
CHRISTMAS IN BLIGHTYtion by a German warship of the carrier were not for away,
steamer in which he was travel- They unexpectedly arrived at Rlu allowed to be trodden under foot by
BRITONS GIVE THEIR LIVES First Casualties On The Western Front
LONDON, Dec. 17 (Reuter) —The Jirst casualties in action of the British Expeditionary Force wero announced to-nighi as a result of a clash be
ween patroln in No Man's Land
Only brief detalls are given of the inoldent in which a British - raiding party, under an N.C.O., was attacked 215.50 by German units,
"There were casualties on both sides," the statement concludes..
Soo Back Page For Further Late-Nowa
CHUNGKING AIR RAID
on Sunday, bearing anarchy, then human life, will be SHANGHAI, Dec. 18 (UP).—Communcations with Chungking air raid alarm being lah Mel Verikar lett Moscow ten days evidence of a forced crossing of the worthless and our ancient westem were cut off at 11.30 am., to-day, due to an LONDON, Dec. 17 (Router). The first men of the British ling to England.bongdo Janiero
Its most Rounded, Expeditionary Force to be given Christmans leave left France to-day so cerute to England, whence South Atlantic from Africa, where civilisation will have lost *PLEASE Turn To Page 4. dependable comer-stone.". PLEASE To Turn Foge 4. for England aboard various transports.
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