DUTCH NEUTRALITY

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 134, 4 December 1917, Page 2

DUTCH NEUTRALITY

VIOLATION BY GERMANY;

BLUFF THAT FAILED.

(FROM OUR OWN CORItBBFONDBNT.) ■'...'. . LONDON, sth October. A htUe incident that pecupred in-Dutch territorial waters last week shows lipw lightly the Huns regard territorial neutrality and with what a high haad they try to bluff it out when caught in breaches of it.

lpwards evening on Tuesday a, Gorman seaplane was obliged to land in the WioUngei), not far from Zeoland, whore a Dutch searching vessel was stationed. Ono of the airmen, says-the Amsterdam correspondent of The Tunes," quoting froni the lelegraaf, was taken on board by this vessel, but the second Tefueed to leave the seaplane. Meanwhile a torpedo boat approaohed from Flushing. It lowered a boat with armed men, and the obstinate Vi«nt%a was obliged" to go aboßrd and proceed to. the torpedo boat. It is supposed that hoi had already signalled for assistance by wireless." Scarcely was he on. board befpre two German aeroplanes appeared above Dutch territory Tho Dutch torpedo boat fired on them, whereupon, they departed. The' DutciK commander supposed that the incident was over, and th»t ho could proceod with the inte.riunont of his captives, for which purpose torpedo boats wpro coming, when suddenly five or "six German aircraft appeared from Zeebrugge. Three German seaplanes came a. cpnaidorablo distance above Dutch territory. Others remained pretty far oft', and outside territorial limits; probably watching lest any British aircraft should appear. One of the first three came very close to the torpedo boat. In this seaplane sat three men, including the commander and an old officer, possibly the flotilla commandant. The latto'r shouted and gesticulated, evidently wishing to talk about territorial Jimits. -The 'Dutch commander ordered him to. cease, but he -refused. A warning shot abovo the machine resiiHod in the Germans trylug to escape. . " ' .'

These incidents distracted attention from the damaged interned, machine, so other seaplanes, hoyering around, were about to tow it away) but i$ \vas top latfl for them to effect their purpose. In the torpipdo boat marines stood, armed' with rifles. The commandant ordered them to fire, and a vollojt was dischaxgod. A number of bullets hit the German seapJane which had attempted "flight. The, commandant fell, while an officer, apparently impressed by this vigprpugs action, came aboard tho torpedo boat. A wounded man also staggered on board tho Dutch vessel. Another German seaplane now came above the torpedo boat. It wa& necessary to fire on this, onts also, ajid; \Y is Delieved to have been^ hit. Others remainde visible some, away. T^e torpedo boat left, having four German airmen aboard. One of the German seaplanes thus brought into Flushing is enormous, with two motors, ar(d the other of smaller type. Then- arrival, as they were towed through t|ie-locks, was witnessed with great satisfaction by the people, who have had enough experience of such unwelcome visitors. One wou,nded, airman is in hospital, and the three others aro awaiting internment. ■ ,

Last week, says tho Telegraaf's correspondent, a Gorman aeroplane which landed at Axel was hindered in loaying again by oiriliiips. The' Germans threatened to shoot theni unless they let the machine gp, and thereby escaped.