"A CITIZEN OF THE SEA "

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22197, 14 September 1937, Page 10

"A CITIZEN OF THE SEA "

LETTER FROM COUNT VON LUCKNER WILL REACH NEW ZEALAND NEXT MONTH "I am a citizen of the sea who loves the world and all the nations," says Count Felix von Luckner, in a letter to Mr Eric Lowe, of Christchurch, answering the charges made against him that he was engaged on his world tour in making Nazi propaganda. Count von Luckner was leaving Panama when he posted the letter and he expects to reach New Zea and early next month. New Zealand he describes in glowing terms and says he is longing to renew acquaintance with its people. It is his intention when in New Zealand to photograph Motuihi Island and Ripa Island, in Lyttelton Harbour, where he was imprisoned during the Great War, and later make a film of his war experiences from his book. "Old memories were coming back," he writes, "the 119 weary days I was spending in Fort Jervis but after all we*had a good time, as Major Leeming in charge of the fortress was a gentleman, and the guard also were good boys. We liked them and so did they us. I love New Zealand and its people. I am longing back to get the opportunity to make their personal acquaintance. As an old sailor who circled many times the globe I never seen such a wonderful country like New Zealand. If I had to choose where to live I am sure I would select New Zealand. Though a prisoner of war I never felt lonely on Motuihi Island; for hours I was sitting on the coast and admiring the beauties of this country. I have many pictures from New Zealand hanging in my room. "Sure I have caused a lot of trouble for the authorities when I escaped but they were good sports and did me no harm. Good old Patt. (Colonel Patterson), when I returned in the Iris after my escape, t;aid to me 'We have sent 6ut 36 motorlaunches, several steamers, and armed ships only to get you sent back again, that shows how much New Zealand likes you and be sure I am one of the most happy ones to have you back.' A Welcome Back "When we landed the people cheered us. We wore treated as gentlemen by everyone. The feeling of gratefulness and admiration will live tor evermmy heart. I am longing to get back to the good old New Zealand, to see once more in my life this country of my dreams, to see the good old boys again, to shake hands with everyone. My new yacht is ready, a two-masted schoom r, and in tlfc month of March I am Starting on my world tour. First Brazil. Argentina, South Arica. then New Zealand and from here to Aus f raLa "I have in mind to give some lee tures if the people would like to hear me. I intend to film my book so I want to make pictures from the various places, particularly from Motuihi and Ripa Island. There were rumours in Australian papers that I was sent out to make Nazi propaganda. I have nothing to do with politics. I am a citizen of the sea who loves the world and all the nations. I travel with my dear little wife and want to show her all the places I saw during the war. In the meantime I have changed my route. We are leaving 10-dfty Panama for the Galapagos Islands, Pitcairn. Tahiti. Here I want to call at the Island Mopeha, where my raider was wrecked, to see ■what's left of ner. Then we are heading for the Cook Islands. Samoa. Fidschi (Fiji)-, to Auckland and New Zealand. I expect to arrive in the first days of October." An explanation cf the inclusion of the change of route is given in a postscript which reads, "The letter has been misled and I thought it for long time in your possession." The letter is signed "Felix Count Luckn°r" and when it was begun the writer was m Hallo. It was evidcnllv at Panama that he found the letter had not been sent, and resumed it.