DRAMATIC SITUATION

Evening Star, Issue 23452, 18 December 1939, Page 7

DRAMATIC SITUATION

GREAT INTEREST IN BRITAIN GRAF SPEE MUST LEAVE OR BE INTERNED WHOLE ENGAGEMENT MATTER FGR EMPIRE PRIDE * (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 17. (Received December 18, at 11 a.m.) The newspapers reflect the great interest aroused by the dramatic naval situation in the South Atlantic. The German ship Graf Spee must leave, Montevideo Harbour within a few hours or accept internment by the Uruguayan authorities for the duration of the war.

The Sunday newspapers comment on Wednesday’s engagement., The ‘ Observer ’ says the British Navy delivered a resounding stroke that makes the whole Empire tingle with pride and satisfaction. The cruisers that sent the far more powerful pocket battleship Graf Spee staggering into neutral shelter have registered the most dramatic victory of the still young war. There is little need to trumpet its significance. That is done with sufficient emphasis by the oulooking world. Neutral comment has no hesitation either in proclaiming its completeness and importance, or in dismissing the silly automatic lie from Berlin ascribing it to gas shells. There ,are events that make the perversities of propaganda merely advertise their own character.”

The ‘ Sunday Times ’ complains of lack of information shown by those who regard this as a dull war, and reminds them “ that there is being enacted on the sea and in the air round these islands and on the ocean routes far distant a drama that must thrill everyone who asks himself what it means. This epic story of the first great sea fight illuminates, as with a flash, the darkened scene on which this great drama is being enacted.” GERMAN ACCOUNTS AMERICANS NOT DECEIVED NEW YORK, December 16. The United States reaction to the German short wave account of the Graf Spee battle is one of contemptuous hilarity. Faced with radio pictures of the Graf Spee showing damage, Americans are chary of accepting the German assurances' that she bears no visible traces'of the battle. The * New York Times ’ editorially comments: “Germany lost another battle when she lied about the Graf Spee. The discount rate of official German statements has always been high. A few more like this, and it will close at 100 per cent.” NAVAL TRADITIONS , NEW ZEALAND HAS CAUSE ID BE PROUD LONDON, December 16. Millions of listeners heard the 8.8. C. naval commentator, who for four years was on the New Zealand station, praise the remarkable exploit of the ship’s company of H.M.S. Achilles, trained in the traditions of the Royal Navy on the other side of the world. He declared that the sea was in their blood. “ Their traditions are our traditions,” he said. “They are brought up to abide by the motto read by every recruit as he walks aboard H.M.S. Philomel, ‘Fear God, Honour the King,’ the words which have inspired the British Navy for centuries.” * The Times,’ in a leader, says: “ New Zealanders are justly elated at the Achilles’s part in the River Plate victory. The exploit must recall to Australians their own delight oyer H.M.A.S. Sydney’s sinking of the Emden. New Zealand may well be specially proud of the part played by her sons in this important action.” After referring to the efforts of the dominions in the air, on land, and on the sea, ‘The Times’ concludes: “ Whatever trials the future may bring, we will face them as an Empire united in the same high cause.” RECOGNITION OF GALLANTRY HCNOURS BESTOWED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 16. The Admiralty announces that' in recognition of the gallantry of the successful action fought by H.M.S. Achilles and H.M.S. Exeter against the German battleship Graf Spee, the King has been pleased to appoint Commodore Henry Harwood to be a knight commander of the bath (K.C.8.), and Captains W. E. Parry, of the Achilles, C. H. L. Woodhouse, of the Ajax, and F. S. Bell, of the Exeter, to be companions of the same order (C. 8.).

Commodore Harwood has also been promoted to rear-admiral in His Majesty’s fleet, the appointment to date from December 13, the date of the action.

The Admiralty has also called for recommendations from Rear-Admiral Harwood in respect of good conduct and forwardness in the action of officers and men in the squadron under his command.

The promotion and honours announced by the Admiralty will be assured of enthusiastic endorsement by the public, which greeted the news of

the engagement in the South Atlantic as a brilliant vindication of British sea traditions. 1 Extracts from the foreign Press which have reached London show that the significance of the action is also widely appreciated abroad. Cordial references in French newspapers have naturally given pleasure here. ‘ L’ere Nouvelle ’ says: “ Our friends once'again attained their mastery, their courage, their tactical knowledge, and that sea sense which is their second nature.” The skill of the British commanders is the subject of much comment in the neutral Press. A verdict which recurs frequently finds typical expression in the remarks of the ‘ St. Louis PostDespatch ’ that the bogey of the pocket battleship seems , to have been deflated. The same idea recurs in the conclusion reached by the Latvian, ‘ Segodnia,’ that the British “ habit ” of naval victory has been revived. CALL AT RIO TO REFUEL (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 17. (Received December 18, at 11 a.m.) According to agency reports from Rio de Janeiro, the Ark Royal and the Renown called there this morning to refuel. THIRTY-SIX KILLED THE GRAF SPEC'S CASUALTIES . LONDON, December 17. (Received December 18, at 11 a.m.) A Berlin message says the High Command has now published the Graf Spee casualties, which are 36 killed, six seriously injured, and 53 slightly wounded. The German Press has dropped the Graf Spee victory talk, but stresses its heroism against three cruisers. ACHILLES CASUALTIES THE NEW ZEALAND VICTIMS [Piiu United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 17. Chief Yeoman' of Signals Martinson is one of the very few New Zealanders still in the service who entered the Navy through the old training ship Amokura, which he joined in Wellington as a boy almost 20 years ago. He later served in the Chatham when she was sent to the Dominion after the Great War. Subsequently he served in many ships, including the Hood, the Nelson, the Queen Elizabeth, the Barham, and the Cumberland. The last time he was in New Zealand, before joining the Achilles, was in 1935, when Jio left for England. Later he served

at Malta for two years and a-half aa instructor of signals. Martinson is one of the most popular petty officers in the New Zealand Division, and has taken a very active interest in the sporting activities of the lower deck. He is well known as a junior member of the Auckland Rugby Football Referees’ Association, and for many years he played as lock in Navy teams, including those of the Philomel and the Achilles. Martinson’s wife learned of his wound by telegram from the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) on Saturday morning. The telegram stated that Martinson had been seriously wounded and was suffering from a compound fracture of the lower bones of the leg. The message also conveyed the New Zealand Naval Board’s regret. “ I am trying to go about my work aa usual to keep my mind off the shock of losing my son so suddenly,” said Mrs H. Gaily, of Oturoa, Ngongotaha, Rotorua, mother of the late Able Seaman A. C. H. Shaw, to the Rotorua correspondent of the ‘ New Zealand Herald.’ The news of her son’s death had been the greater_ shock, she added, because previous radio reports had indicated that the Achilles had survived the engagement unscathed. “ It is very hard when a mother loses her only son,’’ Mrs Gaily continued, “ but I suppose that is war, and I will not be the only mother to suffer such a loss.” It was only about two weeks ago that she had heard from her son in a letter dated October 15. Seaman Sherley, who was seriously, wounded, is the second son of Mr E. R. Sherley, of Te Awamutu. He is aged 23, and was born and educated at Morrinsville. Finishing his schooling at Kibikihi, he worked for two years with the Farmers’ Auctioneering Company at Te Awamutu, and joined the Navy eight years ago. He is unmarried. NAVY LEAGUE MESSAGE (Tee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 17. The president of the New Zealand Navy lieague, Mr J. Sutherland Ross (Dunedin), sent the following message to the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones) on Saturday : “ The New Zealand Navy League branches congratulate the_ officers and ship’s company of the Achilles on their gallant action in the South Atlantic.” CONGRATULATING ACHILLES MESSAGES FROM LORD BLEDISLOE AND ADMIRAL DRUMMOND fPEE United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 18. The Hon. P. Jones to-day received the following cables commending the Achilles’ part in the sea conflict: — From Lord Bledisloo: “ Please convey my warmest congratulations on the magnificent exploit. The whole Empire feels proud.” From Admiral Drummond, who formerly commanded the New Zealand Division : ‘ ‘ Heartiest congratulations to the New Zealand Division.”-