EMDEN MUTINY

Evening Star, Issue 20372, 2 January 1930, Page 9

EMDEN MUTINY

THE OFFICIAL VERSION , PUBLIC SCEPTICAL. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. BERLIN. December 30, Publication of the Emden mutiny story is responsible for a somewhat tardy official statement by the Defence Ministry professing to give the facts. It sets out to state that "when the cruiser was anchored off Puerto Colombia on October 13 some of the crew went ashore, drank too much tropical beer, became hilarious, sang the Internationale, and hoisted a red handkerchief. When the vessel reached Williamshafen three of the crew were arrested and courtmartialled. It was decided, however, that the offence did not constitute mutiny, and the punishment was light. The Berlin correspondent of the ‘Daily Telegraph,’ in recording the explanation, adds- that the Defence Ministry’s explanations are embarrassing, and the facts are so often misleading that this one hardly reassures the public mind. Indeed, responsible newspapers' declare that the official version indicates a most unsatisfactory state of discipline on board the bearer of the proud name of Emden.