STORY OF THE GERMAN NAVAL MUTINY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 247, 16 October 1917, Page 5

STORY OF THE GERMAN NAVAL MUTINY.

SIMULTANEOUS OUTBREAK ON FOUR BATTLESHIPS. <Received 8.35 a.m.) LONDON, October 15. The 'Haily Express" Amsterdam correspondent gives a detailed account of the German mutiny. Since the Jutland battle the navy has been boiling with impatience for a decisive battle or lor peace. Several vessels combined to undermine discipline, and were assisted by prolonged inactivity, the harshness of the officers, reduced rations, and finally the Russian revolution, especially the Kronstadt mutiny. Shortly after the last event the officers learned that the men were nightly conferring and discussing politics, socialism, and peace. Several arrests only poured oil on the flames. Matters came to a climax early in August, following a further reduction of rations and numerous floggings for trifling offences. The revolt broke out simultaneously on four first-class battleships, the Prinz Regent Luitpold, the Kaiser, the Westfalen, and Heligoland. At dawn on August 28 the crew, assembled on the decks, hoisted red flags, sang the Marseillaise, and shouted revolutionary cries. The officers went to their posts, but the men threatened that they would throw them overboard. They did not interfere, awaiting assistance. The captain of the Prinz Regent Luitpold hastened aboard and ordered the men to haul down the red Hag within five minutes. The crew replied by hinding him with cords and throwing him overboard. He was drowned. The majority of the light guns were thrown into the sea, while the heavy guns were rendered useless. Tl.e authorities at Wilhelmshaven ordered out several battalions of marines. The latter declared that they would not lire Off their comrades until they knew what had happened. The commander was furious, but Melded giving the information required. The marines then refused to proceed, and"were confined to their barracks. Infantry was summoned from Oldenburg ami torpedo boats filled with troops surrounded the battleships, demanding their surrender. A small fight resulted in two sailors being killed and some soldier, wounded. Th- rebels soon surrendered. Practically all their ammunition had been thrown into the sea. The ringleaders were shot next ruorn.ng while ten others from each ship were court-martialled. Fifteen were shot and the remainder sentenced to an average term of twenty years. It is understood that the mutinous cruiser was the Hamburg, stationed at Heligoland Tlie captain and most of the officers were absent from tl,. ship. The mutineers overpowered the remainder and quietly left the mooring, for Norway. Many destroyers followed and ordered the Hamburg to stop -he was given five minutes to return or be torpedoed, and she obeyed Thirty men were arrested, and it is believed that the majority were _hot.-(A. and _>._.. (.able.)