1939-12-19 — Page 7

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

END OF GRAF SPEE

Nazi Commander Blows Up Pocket-Battleship

A Reuter message from New York states that the Nazi' pocket-battleship, Admiral Graf Spee, was scuttled by her crew.

Earlier messages from Montevideo reported that the Graf Spee, in an attempt to make a bid for freedom, had salled from the harbour at 6.19 p.m. (G.M.T.) on Sunday."

This report was followed by news from Buenos Aires ́which stated that the Montevideo Wireless announced that the Graf Spee would be scuttled by her crew at 11.30 p.m. (G.M.T.).

ARK ROYAL AND RENOWN ARRIVE

In the meantime a message from Rio de Janeiro stated that the British aircraft-carrier, HM.S. Ark Royal, and H.M.S. Renown had arrived at Rio de Janeiro to join the British warship waiting to put finis to the Nazi "pocket-battleship should she decide to make a dash for freedom,

CASUALTIES ON H.M.S. EXETER LONDON, Dec. 18 (Reuter)-The Admiralty announces that five officers were killed and three wounded and 56 ratings killed and 20 wounded in HMS. Exeter during the engagement with the Graf Sper

FIRST GERMAN ADMISSION

BERLIN, Dec 18 (Reuter)-For the first time Germany admits that 36 were killed on board the Grat Spee.

The German News Agency states that according to reports reaching the High Command of the German Army: 36 of the crew. of the Graf Spee died in action,, six are seriously injured and 53 Hightly wounded.

SUNK IN 25 FEET

OF WATER LONDON, Dec. 18 (Reuter)-The! German pocket-battleship Admiral| Graf Spee now lies sunk off the! Uruguayan coast, some five miles from the entrance to Montevideo barbour, in about 25 feet of water. This was disclosed, in an official Admiralty Communique Issued late last night, which adds that the Nazi warship was blown up by two terrific explosions after she had 'been abandoned by her crew.

GRAF SPEE

Continued from Page 1

CABLE

WHY DID THE COMMANDER OF THE GRAF SPEE CHANGE

HIS PLANS?

LONDON, Dec. 18 (Reuter) —The ignopominous end of the Graf 3pes appears to have been contrary to the personal wishes of her Commander, otherwise it is dificult to ex- plain the extensive, repairs effected on board before her departure.

EXTENSIVE REPAIRS During all Saturday and Sunday night, the sky in Montevideo Har- bour was Eluminated vividly by electric welders as new plates were affixed on her damaged hull. The big holes in the control-tower were patched up and as she jailed out of the harbour it was difficult, ex- cept for an expert, to detect signs? of the mauling she received in last Wednesday's naval battle,

ORIGINAL PLAN

Until her sudden right about face in the Rio de la Plata, it was believed that Capta'n Landsdorf might adhere to his original plan. which it 15 believed envisaged

a journey to Buenos Aires to gain time while submarines and perhaps other surface craft were ready to join in an action against the Allied armada at the entrance to the estuary.

:

SCUTTLED SHIP

IN PROTEST

BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 18 (Reu- ter)--Thousands of spectators saw smoke rise slowly to the sky, tol- lowed by a gigantic burst of flame and an explosion. The flame rose hundreds of feet and the crowds or the shore ran in all directions. EXETER'S. WOUNDED

It is learned that before sailing. BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 18 (Reutery

Captain Landsdorf wrote a letter -It is leamed that eight doctors

to the German Minister protest- have been sent to the Falklanding bitterly against the Uruguayan Islands from the Argentine to Government's refusal to allow a'tend to the wounded of H. M. S. more time for repairs. Exeter.

The disabled cruiser has now arrived safely in the British Naval The ex-

The act of self-destruction was Buse in the Falklands, ordered by her Commander. Cap-itent of the damage to the ship tair Landsdorp, some three hours nus not been revealed. after the Graf Spee had sailed out

of Montevideo, apparently, ready to

OFFICERS AT SALUTE

run the gauntlet, although Monte- NEW YORK, Dec. 18 (Reuter)— video wireless messages announced From the roof of the Montevideo that it was the intention of Cap-Hotel the New York Times' corres- tain Landsdorp to scuttle his ship. pondent saw Captain Landsdorf and the other officers standing at WAITED AT ENTRANCE

the salute in the launch to watch After leaving Montevideo Har-the Graf Spee as she sank. tour, the Graf Spen waited at the "Captain Landsdorf pressed an entrance for some time, as though electric button as the rim of the uncertain of the action to be sun sank below the horizon dyeing taken. She then proceeded slowly the sky a brillant red... up the Plate Estuary in the direc- tion of Buenos Aires.

Then,

anexpectedly.

she

turned completely about and coming down the Estuary at a fairly high speed, with a large Swastika 'flag flying gallantly from her main mast she halted the about five miles from nearest shore.

ORDER GIVEN

The order was given to, the crew to abandon the ship and within ave minutes after the order had been carried out, with the men standing off some hundreds 01 yards saluting, two terrine expia slong occurred and she sank with- in seconds

"The button was on the end of a long cable leading to planted explosives in the magazine. Its effectiveness was terrific for, in ten minutes, flames were roaring along the entire length of the ship accompanied by constant explo- slons.

"She burned for 80 minutes and the explosions continued to the end."

SEEN BY THOUSANDS MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 18 (Reuter) The Graf Spee blow herself up

and sank in the main anchorage three miles outside Montevideo yesterday evening before the eyes of thousands of spectators,

Shortly before sailing she put her wounded ashore and trans- ferred 700 of her crew to the Ger- man steamer Tacoma. Then, followed by the Tacoma, she slow-

CRUISERS HUNT 19 steamed from the harbour,

DEUTSCHLAND

Possible Refuge At Murmansk

When the war began the.com- bined strength of the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy in cruisers was 58 ships.

dropped "anchor, and the 'remain- der of the crew and Captain and oficers took to the boats.

An explosion followed and

the flames enveloped

Graf Spee and she sank in 20. feet of water in a position where the wreck will be a' great hin- drance to traffic.

In the glare of the names from the sinking vessel, the officers and

A considerable proportion of crew were taken aboard the this strength is now engaged in Tacoma and are now proceed- the search for the Deutschland and ing in tugs and her still more elusive sister ship. Buenos Aires. the Admiral Scheer.

He said that in view of the Government's attitude and his responsibility for the lives of 1,000 men, bis only course was to save the crew and to blow up the vessel in the vicinity of the port of Montevideo as a protest.

NAZI STATEMENT BERLIN, Dec. 18 (Reuter-The News Agency issued this state- ment: The Government of Uru-

to grant the time: Quay refused necessary for the repairs of the) Graf Spee and the Commander. therefore, decided to scuttle is ship outside Uruguayan territor waters."

Dr. Hans Frank, newly- appointed Governor-General for the Polish territories oc- cupled by Germany. Be was formerly "Nazi Reich Minister. of Justice.

First B.E.F. Casualties

BRITISH RAIDING PARTY ATTACKED

LONDON, DEC. 18 (REUTER) -THE FIRST CASUALTIES IN ACTION OF THE B. E. F WERE ANNOUNCED LAST NIGHT AS A RESULT OF A CLASH BETWEEN PATROLS IN "NO MAN'S LAND."

Only brief details are given of the Mcident in which a British raiding party, under a N. O. C.. was attacked by Ger- man units;

on

"There were casualties both sides." the statement con- cludes.

CHRISTMAS LEAVE

}

The first men of the E F to be given Christmas Leave left

on France for England

board various transports yesterday.

BRITISH SHIP SUNK BY MINE EONDON, Dec. 18 (Reuter) -The British steamer Ainble (1,162 tons) struck a mine and 'sank, according to an Amster- dam despatch to the German News Agency. Her crew were rescued

Sunken Graf Spee May

..

Cause Nazi-Uruguayuan

Incident

MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 18 (Reuter) |

WAS COMMANDER

-The Graf Spee was sunk, in 20 OF GRAF SPEE feet of water in the main anchor-

age where she will be a serious hinderance to port traffic.

There is great indignation here | over this and many think that an

incident between the two cour", tries "may result, because it is thought that the Graf Spee ̈acted under orders from Berlin...

IMMENSE FLAMES

As the Graf Spee settled down the escaping fuel oil set fire to and "enveloped the super-structure in flames and the immense sur- face of the sea was illuminated,

The fire burned out at 9.28 p.m.. when little of the battleship was showing above the water.

The dramatic effect of the i flames was enhanced by constant! explosions as the fire, which was also burning under water, reached the shells.

launches to YANGTSE RE-OPENING

Two British ships are watching

Continued from Page 1

Military and Naval authorities in

the field in Central China,

closure of the

"

را

SAVED?

LONDON, Dec. 18 (Reuter) ~Reports are conflicting as regards the fate of Captain Landsdort.

The New York wireless states that the German Legation in Montevideo announced that Captain Landsdorf went down with his ship.

A Montevideo message states that the Commander and officers of the Graf Spee are " reported to have perished when the battleship blew up, while ~ the Buenos Aires radio says that the last to leave the ship was the Commander

A later message from Mon- tevideo states that a boat from an Argentine cruiser picked up the Captain and chief officers of the Graf Spee,

war."

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FINNISH APPEAL FOR HELP

COMMON. CAUSE

OF JUSTICE

HEISINKI, Dec. 18 (Reuter)— Another appeal to the world for help was made by the Finnish I'resident. M. Kallio, in a broadcast talk to the Finnish Army yester day. After #reeting "the defenders of our independence." the Pre- sident said that they see more ac- tive help than they had hitherto obtained.

COMMON CAUSE

As their cause is the cause of the whole civilised world, they believed that civilised nations could rot leave them to fight alone on this front.

"We

do дост deny that the nearest to our hearts are our own homes, land, culture and our whole social system in which we have become rooted and which is now threatened with' destruction.

"

"But it is through these values that we have been able -to contribute our service to the world's callure. Therefore, we dare hope that these common Principles of justice will also be commonly defended." Madame Kallio also addressed the nation.

NELSON AS EXAMPLE

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SOVIET TROOPS MAKING HEADWAY IN NORTH OF

FINLAND

FINNS' DEFENCES THREATENED

PARIS, Dee, 18 (Reuter)-The Intest

news here regarding the progress of the war In Finland shows that the Finns are successfully resisting in the Karellan Isthmus.

Near Lake Ladoga, Soviet attacks were repulsed.

In the north the Russians are making headway in their attempt to cut the country in two.

At least two Russian column are active with this alm in view and the opinion here is that they will be dan-. gerous to the future Finnish defence if they continue to make their present headway.

FINNISH COMMUNIQUE HELSINKI, Dec. 18

(Reuter)-

the Military Training Act passed A Finnish communique states that part of his medical examination the advance continues slowly on at Newcastle, but was then found the Tolvajaervi Front.

All Soviet attacks on the Kare- to be blind in one eye, and was re- jected.

Ilan Isthmus were repulsed and inflicted on

were

Making an'indignant protest, he heavy lossen said: ""The best fighter Great Russian battalions. Britain ever had had only one eye,! It was semi-officially announced and we put up a monument to that 176 Russian tanks were des- him in Trafalgar-square."

troyed or captured since the war

SOVIET ADVANCE MOSCOW, Dec. 18 (Reuter)-A

Nelson lost the sight of his right began. eve at the age of 36, while com- manding land forces of seamen and marines in Corsica.-Dally Tele-Soviet communique claims that graph

Soviet troops advanced to 46 miles south of Petsamo, and also to a point 81 miles on the west frontier in the Ukhta. Sector.

ARCHBISHOP DIES,

AGED 79

FINNISH CLAIMS HELSINKI, Dec. 18 (Reuterɔ~

All the evidence goes to show for the Tacoma which is still in that the latter is still somewhere the roadstead off Montevideo. far away in the southem hemis-

Dr. Francis Mostyn. Roman Finnish troops north of Laxe phere, but the Deutschland was

The ommunique reads: "Con- The Press Association learns Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff Ladom yesterday routed a large unquestionably in the area between

by the Transatlantic liner Bremeri River have of late permitted the ed by Lord Mottistone, chairman of Englah martyrs, died at Cardin treated in disorder.

ditions along the lower Yangtse that a campaign is to be conduct- since 1921 and descendant of three force of the Red Army which re- Iceland and the Shetlands..

One of the handicaps of the in the early days of the war.

gradual relaxation of absolute the National Savings Committee. He was 7, A report appear to have reached military requirements which have to "popularize payment for the cruisers hunting for the Deutsch-

Berlin to the effect that 28 British necessitated the land is the shortness of the days" in those latitudes at this sailors were saved by the Deutsch-river.

It is understood that arrange- time of year something less than land, after the Rawalpind! had "In view of the above, and In

been fought to a standstill. There order to meet this situation, the ments are being made for the five hours.

is nothing to show whether this Japanese Military and Naval au- Chancellor of the Exchequer to To this, and to the obscurity caused by heavy rain, was due the less or through Russian sources to launch

Information was obtained by wire thorities in the field have decided open the campaign towards the various preparations end of the month with an address of the Deutschland in *success

with the view of re-opening the to the nation, possibly at a public eluding the cruiser, which tried to keep her in sight after her Aght

Yanfitse below Nanking subject to meeting. restrictions necessitated by military with the Rawalpindi.

requirements and measures for the maintenance of peace and order.”

BREMEN'S EXAMPLE

from Murmansk,

Although no further statement has been received concerning the Deutschland's consort, which took a minor part in the destruction of It is more likely that she has the Rawalpindi, the impression taken refuge at Murmansk, follow-that she is an armed merchant ing the example set by her erst vessel appears to be deepening while prize, the City of Fint, and Daily Telegraph

Foreign shippers are reserv- Ing their judgment till they. see whether the re-opening really...presages a general re-

sumption of normal trade or whether restrictions will be enforced in such a way as to keep the Yangtae closed to all _but_Japanese shipping...

PEARL RIVER CLOSED, BUT NOT TO JAPANESE

CANTON, Dec. 18 (Reuter) The announce-.

that ment

the Pearl River would remain clos-' ed to all shipping from Dec. 17 until the end of the year does not apply to Japanese vessels, it was reliably learned today.

Japanese shipping com- panies are continuing their regular schedules of sailings to and from Macao.

FURTHER OPERATIONS SHIUKWAN, Dec, 18 (In!Í)— The closing of the Pearl River

to the navigation of vessels of third powers is beloved here to be heralding further Japanese · military operations in Bhum- chun and to the north, as the Japanese have wanted for some time to clear the Canton-Köw- Loon Railway.

It is also thought possible that the enemy plan to retake Changshan in order to effect a junction with their troops ta the Kongmoon-Sunwul sector.

CHINESE PREPARED The Pearl River is closed for

the purpose of troops transpor tation. There is no increase of enemy forces in Shamthun, although many Japanese waP- ships ste concentrating at Booca Tigris. Chinese military circles are preparing for any surprise move between now and Christmas.

MARRIAGE FEE

FOR MEN IN THE SERVICES

The Red Army keeps up mass) Through his maternal grand- infantry assaults on the Manner- mother, a daughter of the eighth helm Line without success.” -- Lord Stafford, the archbishop was Yesterday afternoon, following descended from philip Howard, Ear intense artillery preparation, a

Arundel; William

Howard, violent attack was launched Viscount Stafford, and Margaret which their casualties are estimat-in the Services, so that they may Pole, Countess of Salisbury. All ed at over 3,000. three died for their allegiance to

IN THE NORTH

The question of reducing the price of marriage licences for men

marry when on short leave, is. being considered by the

the Roman Catholic faith during In the extreme north, according authorities. the reign' of the Tudors.

to an ometal bulletin, the enemy. In the ordinary way a licence for Dr. Mostyn was rector at Birken-made no important gains. since such a marriage would cost ap head in the nineties. He had such Saturday.

proximately 21 guineas, comparet

'an influence over the dockers on The Finnish Air Force was active with about 78. 84, for a church Merseyside that he was once called on all fronts, bombing Boviet con-wedding. The lower rate applies in by the police to arrest an centrations, columns and mechan-only when dae notice of marriage Irishman who had “drisk-taken.jised units

is given-The Times.