JERVIS BAY TROUBLE

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 June 1928, Page 5

JERVIS BAY TROUBLE

“GREATLY EXAGGERATED”

LATEST MESSAGES FROM LINER (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable— Assn.— Copyright.) LONDON, June 23. There is general relief on the receipt of the latest messages from the liner, Jervis Bay, together with the fact that the liner is in regular communication with other ships. The cruiser Suffolk is proceeding to a favourable position to render assistance if it. should be necessary. It is revealed also that the “Slavol” is due to reach the liner in the evening, when armed marines will be placed on board the vessel, thus ending the possibility of any further trouble. No maritime event of recent years has aroused such widespread interest or anxiety. The British newspapers have arranged for the urgent dispatch of full details from special correspondents the moment that the lineT reaches Colombo.

The British Press reports .the receipt of a message from Captain Daniel, through the London manager of the line, as follows: —

“Everything going well. Contradict the statements made relative to the crew of the Jervis Bay. These are absolutely false. Decline any statement except through Australian House.”

The British United Press comments: “It is unknown what statement Captain Daniel has in mind. It is presumed, however, that the crew have remained loyal throughout, though this is the first indication that has been received in London that this was the case.”

Mr. Larkin (Agent for the Commonwealth line) has issued a statement to-night as follows: —“There is no further cause for anxiety. The fact that the Jervis Bay reaches Colombo on Monday instead of on Saturday, is in no wise due to the trouble, as the steamer was two days late in leaving Fremantle. Immediately the vessel reaches Colombo, what ever legal action is justified will be taken.” The first independent message received from the Jervis Bay, was received. from a passenger, who wirelessed to his relatives in London as follows: —Worry unnecessary. Every thing safe. Self well. The trouble has been greatly exaggerated.” WARSHIPS MEET LINER. COLOMBO, June 24. A Naval Intelligence officer states that the Slavol met the Jervis Bay. An armed guard boarded the vessel, and the stowaways were put under guard with no trouble. The Suffolk will escort the Jervis Bay to Colombo, which she is expected to reach at daylight on Monday. EIGHT STOWAWAYS. ~PERTH, June 24. Information given at Fremantle by a man who stated that he was to have stowed away on the Jervis Bay, is to the effect that there -were to have been fourteen stowaways, but at the last moment six of them became alarmed, and did not go aboard-. The eight men who stowed away were all migrants.

The informant ridicules the idea that these men were armed. He states that they did not have even a cigarette oi- a match between them.