GRAF SPEE BLOWN UP Scuttled By Commander 61 KILLED
Outside Montevideo
London, To-day.
THE GERMAN pocket-battleship, Admiral Graf
Spee, now lies sunk off the Uruguayan coast, KNIGHTHOOD
some five miles from the entrance to Montevideo harbour, in about 25 feet of water.
This is disclosed in an official Admiralty communi- que issued late last night, which adds that the Nazi warship was blown up by two terrific ex- plosions after she had been abandoned by her
crew.
The act of self-destruction was ordered by her com- mander, Captain Landsdorp, some three hours after the Graf Spee had sailed out of Montevideo, apparently ready to run the gauntlet, although Montevideo wireless messages announced that it was the intention of Captain Landsdorp to scuttle his ship.
After leaving Montevideo harbour, the Graf Spee waited at the entrance for some time as though uncertain of the action to be taken. She then pro- ceeded slowly up the Plate Estuary in the direction of Buenos Aires.
Then, unexpectedly, she turned com- pletely about, and coming down the estuary at a fairly high speed, with a large Swastika flag flying gallantly from her main mast, halted about five miles from the nearest shore.
The order was given to the crew to abandon ship, and five minutes after the order had been carried out, with
the men standing-off some hundreds of yards saluting, two terrific explo-
sions occurred and she sank within seconds. Reuter.
GERMAN ADMISSION
Berlin, To-day. For the first time, Germany admit. 36 killed on board the Graf Spee.
The official Germanı news agenc states that according to reports reach- ing the High Command of the German Army, 36 of the crew of the Graf Spec died in action, six ously injured and 53 wounded.--Reu ter.
were
HERR HITLER'S INSTRUCTIONS
seri-
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
URUGUAYAN
PROTEST
DENIED
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
London, To-day.
FOR COMMODORE HARWOOD
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL”)
London, To-day.
the
In recognition of the gallant action of the three British cruis- ers against the Graf Spee, King has appointed Commodore Henry H. Harwood Knight Com- mander of the Bath, while Cap- tain W. E. Parry (H.M.S. Achil- les), Captain C. H. L. Woodhouse (H.M.S. Ajax) and Captain F. S. Bell (H.M.S. Exeter) are ap- pointed Companions of the same Order.
Commodore Harwood is also promoted Rear-Admiral.
Commodore Harwood is well- known on the China Station as commander of the cruiser Cum- berland in 1928-1929.-Havas.
BRITISH SHIP HITS MINE, SINKS
Political circles deny that Uruguay has protested to Britain against the violation of the Pan-American safety 1,162 TONS, HAS STRUCK A MINE
zone.
BERLIN, TO-DAY. THE BRITISH STEAMER AMBLE,
AND SUNK, ACCORDING TO AN AMSTERDAM DESPATCH ΤΟ OFFICIAL GERMAN NEWS
It is pointed out that Britain has THE never admitted the American na- tion's right to establish the safety zone.
Nevertheless Britain would spect it provided the German navy
!
AGENCY.
The crew, says the report, have been re-rescued.-Reuter.
does the same, but Britain could not remain inactive if the presence of German raiders is tolerated in the zone-Havas.
EMPIRE AIR TRAINING
PARIS, TO-DAY AGREEMENT
THE NEWSPAPER L'OEUVRE AS- SERTS THAT HERR HITLER PERSONALLY INSTRUCTED CAP-
TAIN LANDSDORP,
COMMANDER
OF THE ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE, TO DO HIS UTMOST TO SPARE THE
LIVES OF HIS MEN.
Furthermore, the Fuehrer has in- sisted that the Commander should re- frain from any action which may re- sult in a British naval victory, to be later exploited by British propaganda, and also insisted that the Graf Spee be scuttled rather than he sunk by the enemy.
Reports of the presence of German subinarines in the vicinity of Monte- video are discounted-Havas.
EXTENSIVE REPAIR: WHY? The ignominous end of the Graf Spee appears to have been contrary to the personal wishes of her comman- der, otherwise it is difficult to explain the extensive repairs effected board before her departure.
on
Ottawa, To-day.
The Empire Air Training Agreement kenzie King, the Canadian was signed yesterday by Mr. Mac- Minister, and Lord Riverdale, head o
Prime
the British delegation to the Empire Air Conference.
Lord Riverdale also initialled the agreement on behalf of Australia and New Zealand.
The details will be announced later. --Reuter.
RICE LOOTING IN
SHANGHAI
Shanghai, To-day. Looting of rice shops continued yesterday morning but on a smaller scale. Price of rice, in most areas, has been reduced to the S.M.C. fixed rate of $40 per. picul. Several shops have not yet reopened owing to fear of riots. Our Own Correspondent.
During all Saturday-Sunday 'night, the aky in Montevideo har- bour was illuminated vividly by electric welders
new plates were affixed to her damaged hull." The big holes in her control tower were patched up and as she sailed out of harbour, it was difficult, except for an expert, to detect signs of the maul- ing she received in last Wednesday's Alres to gain time while submarines naval, battle.
CAPTAIN'S 'PLAN
to
Captain Landsdorp might adhere his original plan which, it is believ- Buenos | cd, envisaged a journey to
and perhaps other surface craft were ready to join in an action against the Until her sudden right-about in the Allied armada at the entrance to the Rio de la Plata, it was believed that' Estuary.-Reuter.
*** The Amble was built by Verschure
and Company, Amsterdam, in 1920. Owned by Broomhill Colliefies, Ltd., she was registered at Newcastle; she was 230 feet long.
IN H.M.S. EXETER
LONDON, TO-DAY.
THE CASUALTY TOLL IN H.M.8. EXETER AS A RESULT OF THE BATTLE WITH THE ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE HAS NOW BEEN DI8- CLOSED BY THE ADMIRALTY,
The official statement reveale 鷂 high proportion of killed to wounded. Five officers were killed and three were wounded.
Fifty-six ratings were killed and twenty wounded.-Reuter,
AN ARRAY OF MIGHT
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Montevideo, To-day.
No less than 145,000 tons of Allied warships were lying off the Uruguayan coast wait- ing for the Graf Spee.
A coastguard vessel reports having
Cumberland seen the cruisers
and Achilles.
Other warships said to be mount- ing guard on the horizon were the battleship Barham, and the French battleship Dunkerque.-Havas.
ARK ROYAL AND
RENOWN NOW IN RIO
Rio de Janeiro, To-day. The Ark Royal and the Renown have arrived in Rio de Janeiro.--Reuter.
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Rio de Janeiro, To-day, unconfirmedly reported that the aircraft-carrier Ark Royal and the
Renown battle-cruiser permission to refuel port-Havas.
It is
have asked at a Brazilian
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THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 18, 1939
CHENG HO OUT ON
ROUND THE FOR
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