CONDITION OF GRAF SPEE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22895, 16 December 1939, Page 13

CONDITION OF GRAF SPEE

EIX 11-INCH GUNS DESTROYED EARLY DEPARTURE MAY BE ORDERED .(Received December 16, 2.30 a.m.) 1 LONDON, December 15. ! Captain Neibuhr Dietrich, German Naval Attache at Buenos Aires, examined the Admiral Graf Spee to-day. Another investigation was also made by the Uruguayan experts, after which it was found that the ship was navigable, hut her control tower and six 11-inch guns were destroyed. This means that if the Admiral Graf Spec put to sea immediately she would be anie to use only her secondary battery of 5.9 inch guns. If these reports are true it is assumed that Uruguay will ask the Admiral Graf Spec to leave by 8.50 pan. Montevideo time. Or accept internment. The Admiral Graf Spee has prepared to repair the damage with her own crew,, as a result of the Montevideo port workers’ refusal to work lor any company which undertook top mntTflpf While the decision of the Government regarding the time allowed to r emain was being awaited, the warship loaded a big number of welding tanks, heavy plates, and other *■ At the same time preparations Vrere made for the burial of the head to a single big grave in the north cemetery. A guard of honour stood before wooden coffins draped with swastikas. The police have taken Precautions against disturbances during the ceremony since a big section of the Montevideo public is displaying illwill towards the Germans.

FRENCH LINER, AT MONTEVIDEO

MONTEVIDEO, December 14. The French liner Formosa has fhived. The passengers are suffering from shock and many are inco‘torent. They described how Jlkoughout the day, wearing lifeWta, they watched the battle. The Formosa made full speed toJtohis the Uruguayan coast when toe sighted the Admiral Graf Spee, jhich was rapidly gaining when the jiax appeared, wirelessing the the Exeter for suppcprt. foe Formosa manoeuvred behind *to Ajax’s smoke screen.