CRUISERS KEEP GUARD

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

CRUISERS KEEP GUARD

ADMIRAL GRAF SPREE PLANS EARLY DEPARTURE MAY BE MADE (DOTTED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received December 15, 2.45 p.m.) LONDON, December 15. A message from New York says that the National Broadcasting Company, broadcasting from Uruguay, states that it believes the Admiral Graf Spee is preparing to sail almost immediately to run the gauntlet of the British death watch outside Montevideo. German tanker Tacoma has sailed carrying 600,000 gallons of fuel oii, and presumably will await the Admiral Graf Spee. The Montevideo correspondent of the United States of \merica states that sources close to the German Legation expect the battleship to leave within a week. The broadcaster further describes damage to the Admiral Graf Spee. She has a hole five or six feet in diameter on the port side, 60 feet from the bow and five feet above the waterline, the forward observation tower is split through, and one of the towers near the forward six-incH guns is practically torn from its base. In the meantime, the German ship is keeping her dead and wounded aboard. Technically she has until midnight on December 14 (Uruguayan time) to sail or to seek an extension of time. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) indicated that Western Hemisphere countries might consult and possibly protest to Britain and Germany against violation of the safety zone. He added that he was authbritatively informed that the Admiral Graf Spee would be permitted to remain at Montevideo for 48 hours or longer, if necessary, to effect repairs. A British Official Wireless message states that international law permits belligerent warships to take refuge in neutral waters and remain until repairs sufficient to make them seaworthy are effected, after which they must leave, subject to 24 hours’ notice. . , It is pointed out in naval circles in London that the provision of Articles 14 and VI of ttw Hague Convention of 1907. which contain the rules relating to the repair in neutral ports of belligerent warships, do not distinguish betweerv damage sustained in action and damage by other causes. There is substantial support , for the view that an extension of stay or use of shore facilities to repair damage by enemy action should not be allowed, and a number of neutral

Governments have issued express regulations denying the use of shore facilities or any extension of permitted stay beyond 24 hours if the damage is by enemy action. The Exeter’s commander requested permission to land 100 men to attend the funerals of the Admiral Graf Spee’s dead. . The Montevideo correspondent of the United Press of America states that 62 prisoners were released from the Admiral Graf Spee. EXETER REQUESTS DRY-DOCK WOUNDED MEN FLOWN ASHORE (Received December 15, 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 14. A correspondent of the United Press in a message from Puerto Belgrano states that an aeroplane from the cruiser Exeter, which was damaged in the fight with the Admiral Graf Spee, is reported to have arrived with three gravely wounded seamen, two of whom later died. It is understood that the Exeter requested the dry-dock to be made available. . A message from Bahia Blanca states that the Exeter is expected off Mar de Plata before morning on her way to the Puerto Belgrano dry-dock TRIBUTE FROM LEADER , OF OPPOSITION (PEES 3 ASSOCIATION TELEGEAM.) INVERCARGILL, December 15. “Although the news of the naval engagement in the South Atlantic in which the New Zealand cruiser Achilles played such a distinguished part may cause anxiety in some New Zealand homes, all New Zealanders will feel proud of the heroism and the daring of the ship and men against such a formidable foe, said the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) to-night. “New Zealand owes her very existence to the British Navy, and it fills us with pride to learn of the encounter that adds further lustre to the Navy’s already glorious traditions.” — L j