THE SCAPA CRIME

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 139, 10 December 1919, Page 4

THE SCAPA CRIME

FACSIMILE EVIDENCE

REPLY TO A GERMAN CHARGE,

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN - NEW ZBALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received December 10, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, Bth December

In reply to a German accusation that it distorted a letter by .Admiral yon . Renter, the Admiralty states that the published version gives the complete text. The letters have been protographed, and copies are available. [An Admiralty communique, published a few days ago, referring to Germany's contention that Admiral yon Renter scuttled the German fleet at Scapa Flow without the knowledge of any German civil or military authority, publishes a translation of a letter found in the safe of the flagship Emden. The document, which was dated 9th May, and marked "most secretj" was written by Admiral yon Trotsa, Chief of the German Admiralty, to Admiral yon Renter. It discusses the probable intentions of the Allies in regard to the fate of the interned fleet, which, it is declared, however, cannot be decided without German co-operation, and consummated by Germany. The letter emphasised that surrender to the enemy was out of the question. The Admiralty cites the foregoing and other instances in refutation of the German allegation that German orders failed to reach yon Beater, and shows that the last oiders reached him on 17th June, the very day on which, according to the text of another document, he instructed the commanding officers, carefully detailing the preparations to effect a rapid sinking in the event of forcible British intervention without German assent or on his orders whereanent he indicated a secret code. Yon Router added : "Should the German Government agree to surrender under the peace terms, then the ships must be handed over, to the lasting disgrace of those who placed ns in this position."]