THE GRAF SPEE

Evening Star, Issue 23451, 16 December 1939, Page 11

THE GRAF SPEE

ID REMAIN AT MONTEVIDEO ALLOWED TO EFFECT REPAIRS TUNE LIMIT TO IE SET , LONDON, December 14. A Montevideo message states that tlhe Foreign Minister, Dr Alberto Guani, announced that the Uruguayan Government had granted the German GoToflUneni’s request that the Graf Spec , ho allowed to remain until repairs can be made. Dr Guani said that the period tbe Graf Spec may remain would be established after survey by the Uru- • guayan naval authorities. EXPERTS EXAMINE DAMAGE •ATTLESHIP MAY IE ASKED TO LEAVE NOT WOMENS REFUSE TS EFFECT REPAIRS MONTREAL, December 15. (Received December 16, at 8 a.m.) The Graf Speo is prepared to repair Jhe damage with its own crew following the port workers’ refusal to work for any company which undertook the contract. While the decision of the Government regarding the time allowed to remain is being awaited, the Graf Spee is loading a large number of welding tanks, heavy plates, and other metals. At the same time preparations are being made for tlhe burial of the, dead in , a single large grave in the , Nqrth Cemetery. . The wooden coffins are draped with swastikas and the ceremony is aet for 1 p.m. The police have taken precautions against disturbances, since a large section of the Montevideo public is displaying illwill against the Germans. ' EXETER TO BE REPAIRED. llhe Exeter is proceeding to the Argentine naval base' at Puerto bel Grano, where she will dry dock for re- ,' pairs,, while the'Achilles ahd the Ajax, 4 reinforced by r several heavy cruisers, ■ maintain ~a vigil in the estuary of the r River Plate. Hhe crews are kept at ' battle stations, taking no Chances of e the Graf Spee trying to escape. GAS STORY REFUTED. Regarding the claims in Berlin that the ■ Graf - Spee wounded had' been blinded by mustard gas, Dr Walter ■MeftholE examined,, several thoroughly and declared that he found they had Trten hit by shell fragments; There jrere.no traces of gas. SHIR NAVIGABLE. ■ Captain Neibuhrdietrich, the German, naval attache in Buenos Aires, examined the Graf Spee and another investigation .'was made by Uruguayan experts, after winch, the United Press reports, it was found that the ship was navigable," but that the control towst of six llin guns had been destroyed, meaning that if she put to ; sen immediately she. woiild be’ able to use'only the secondary battery of 5.9 in . guns. „ If thsss reports are true, it is , assumed that Uruguay. will ask the Graf Spec to leave at 8.50 p.m. (Montevideo time) or accept internment, A message from Washington states that the departure of tlhe liner Columbus is .viewed by experts here,as a possible attempt to lure the British warships into a trap or to force their withdrawal from the River Plate. MAY HUC COAST WITHIN THREEMILE LIMIT LONDON, December 15. (Received December 16, at noon.) It is officially stated that Britain is ‘ doing her utmost to see that the provisions of the Hague Convention are carried out. Under article 17 the .Graf Spee is, allowed to carry out such as will render her seaworthy, 1 but she may not add to her fighting strength. As' apparently she is not damaged to the extent that her speed is seriously curtailed she may be regarded a's seaworthy, therefore must put to sea in 24 hours or be interned. Of course, the Graf Spee may go to sea and hug the coast within the threeads limit. STILL SEAWORTHY . DECLARATION BY GERMAN RADIO LONDON, December 15. (Received December 16, at noon.) The German radio declares that the Graf Spee is still seaworthy and needs saly minor repairs, It describes the members of the crew as visible, cleaning the deck or sunbathing. BRITISH CASUALTIES ADMIRALTY HAS NO DETAILS , LONDON, December 15. 'Wse British Admiralty states that it has no reports of the casualties on the British cruisers. It remarks, incidentally, how remarkably little damage the Graf Spee has caused to shipping in the Atlantic since the outbreak of war, •mnpared with the Emden in the Great War.