SAVING HIS DESPATCHES.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLII, Issue 89, 16 May 1916, Page 8

SAVING HIS DESPATCHES.

SPANISH COURTESY. Senor Ibanez de Iboro, the well-known Spanish journal,st, writing in the 'Echo de Paris,' describes how, on his return from his journey in Tmkey and Greece in December last, hi> was on board the Greek steamer Spe'zii, and was actually in the company ot Colonel Napier at the moment wlu-n the Gertran submarine stopped the vessel. The Germans examined the list oi" ;>issengers, he said, and demandrd that Colonel Napier, Captain Wilson and Dr Eindlay, of the British Red Cross, should be handed over to then. All three were perfectly calm and went on board the .submarine's boat without a word. While the boat was on its way back to the submarine Senor Ibero spied a diplomatic pouch floating in the w,tt-T wh oh Colonel iNapior had thrown -nto the sea after taking out all the most important papers. A few minutes later the I'ritsh officers returned on boat i the Spetzai, but only to leave again ■immediately. They were loudly cheerby «ll on board. Colonel Napier had just time to sa> to Senor Ibero that Captain WiU a. and he were prisoners, but that Dr Findlay had been released. Colonel Napier said his impression was that the submarine was German, as her officers did not speak German like Anstrians. Senor Ibero asked Colonel Nanier if he had any important papers to entrust to him. The colonel replied, "Yes; take these documents and do not give them to anyone except our Ambassador." Then with feverish haste he handed the Spanish journalist a number of large envelopes, which the latter hurriedly hid on his person. "Then I went up on deck." t-aid •Senor Ibero. "The submarine's men had noted the diplomatic pouch, which ■was clearly visible on the water, owing to its light color, and were just fishing it up. "All the passengers collected in silent groups on the deck to watch the British officers leave. That night noikklt slept a wink on board the Spetzai."—Renter.