CABINET CONSIDERING POSITION

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

CABINET CONSIDERING POSITION

DECISION TO BE ANNOUNCED MONTEVIDEO, December 15. (Received December 16, at 10 a.m.) It is reliably stated that Uruguay will announce its decision regarding the Graf Spee’s status after a Cabinet meeting this afternoon. A GLORIOUS EXPLOIT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 15. (Received December 16, at 10.30 a.m.) The Prime Minister’s tribute to the very gallant action fought by three comparatively small British ships against a much more heavily armed adversary off the south coast of America is warmly endorsed in the Press. “ The running fight, in which uharmoured and out-gunned cruisers compelled the enemy to take inglorious refuge in a neutral port will,” says the ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ “ rank with the most splendid exploits of frigates against three-deckers in the brave days of old.” SINKING OF THE ASHLEA AND HUNTSMAN MONTEVIDEO, December 15. (Received December 16, at noon.) Captain Pottinger said the Ashlea was sunk on October 2, and given 10 minutes to abandon ship. The crew were transferred to the Newton Beech, which followed the Graf Spee. The provisions were seized, and the Ashlea was sunk with bombs. The Huntsman and she followed the fGraf Spee for a week to disguise her position. Because she had wirelessed a warning she was later sunk with bombs, BELGIAN FREIGHTER MINED ONE OF GREW KILLED LONDON, December 15. (Received December 16, at, 10.20 a.m.) The Belgian freighter Rosa was mined and sunk off the north-east coast. One was killed and 14 were landed, of whom two were injured. ND GAS SHELLS USED STATEMENT BY PRISONERS MONTEVIDEO, December 15. (Received December 16, at 11 a.m.) Denying the German gas allegations, the Graf Spee’s British prisoners stress that the Germans wore gas masks, The prisoners were not, masked, yet-, they were not affected. They added that, it was true that the food was spoiled,’but by a shell exploding in the galley. " LEAVE OR BE INTERNED " GERMAN PRESTIGE AT STAKE MONTREAL, December 15. (Received December 16, at 11.30 a.m.) The Montevideo correspondent of the United Press says Uruguay warned the Graf Spee to leave within 72 hours or be interned. The order followed, the Cabinet meeting. Unconfirmed reports declare that German warships, possibly submarines, are assembling to meet the waiting cruisers in combat. They odd’that German prestige would not permit her internment. FUNERAL OF GRAF SPEE VICTIMS WREATH FROM BRITISH MERCHANT SERVICE MONTEVIDEO, December 15. (Received December 16, at 11.5 a.m.) Five thousand people watched the landing of the coffins containing bodies of the Graf Spee victims. Fourteen bus loads of the Graf Spee’s crew, Uruguayan, and German officers followed the bodies to the cemetery One wreath was inscribed: ” To the memory of brave men of the sea from their comrades of the British merchant service.” The authorities • banned a parade through the city to avoid incidents because”of the general ill-feeling against the Graf Spee. BRITONS IN ARGENTINA REMARKABLE DEMONSTRATION OF LOYALTY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 15. (Received December 16, at 1.30 p.m.) Remarkable as a demonstration of loyalty to the (British cause as is the fund, amounting to £IOO,OOO, raised by the British community in the Argentine is the fact that it is not the only form of help which Britons in the Argentine are giving. They are also sending home thousands of eggs for sick and wounded British soldiers, sailors; and airmen. Already nearly 1,000,000 have been despatched. The scheme is being organised by Mr H. F. M. Merness, of Buenos Aires,, who last war started a similar fund. Between 1916 and the end of the war over 250,000 eggs were collected and sent to the United Kingdom for the benefit of the wounded. In April ibis year Mr Mernes volunteered to reopen the fund in the event of war, and the offer was promptly and gratefully accepted by the British Government,