HISTORY MADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1940, Page 8

HISTORY MADE.

BRITISH PRIZE. ENSIGN OVER THE SWASTIKA. SCENE IN PANAMA CANAL. An historical event of great importance—a German merchant ship sailing through the Panama Canal with a British prize crew on board and the White Ensign flying above the swastika—was seen by members of the crew of an overseas vessel now lying in port. The German ship was the German liner Dusseldorf, of 4930 tons, which was reported in the cable news as having been captured by the British cruiser Despatch on December lt>. Adjudged British property by the Prize Court, the Dusseldorf was renamed the Poland, in honour of the commander of the Despatch. One of tlie members of the vessel now lying at Auckland said his ship had passed close alongside the Dusseldorf, which was lying in Gatun Lake. His vessel was travelling west and the Dusseldorf was 011 her way to Jamaica after having been captured 011 the Chilian Coast, with a number of British marines on board superintending the work of the German crew. International law specified that the Dusseldorf could not stop at any port on the way without infringing the laws of neutrality. On her arrival in Jamaica she was transferred to the British merchant service and the crew was interned. "Fhst Time in History." "As far as I know it was the first time that any captured ship has ever passed through the canal with a prize crew in command," he said, "and certainly the first time that the Nazi flag has flown below the White Ensign." His vessel passed within 400 °or 500 yards of the Dusseldorf and it was possible to see the marines on board. It was also seen that there 'were some passengers, including at. least one woman. She would probably be released and allowed to proceed home, as. she was not a mjiitary asset in the ordinary sense of the word. The vessel, he added, was carrying a very light cargo, as her propellers were almost out of the water.

He added that under the Ha° r ue Convention of 1907 it was specified that mail bags were always an exception when a cargo was seized. What was contraband was specified by each country at the outbreak of war, as the question of compensation came into the question after hostilities ceased federal German ships were also lvinat Curacao, m the Dutch West Indies, he went on. They could not get out because of the British blockade, and as W rtTr," was taken away by the Dutch Government it was almost impossible for them to survive if they made a dash from the harbour.