SCAPA FLOW COUP.

Gisborne Times, Volume LI, Issue 5344, 3 December 1919, Page 5

SCAPA FLOW COUP.

LATEST EXCUSE FROM GERMANY

WILLING TO REFER MATTER TO ARBITRATION.

BERLIN, Nov. 29

Germany sent a memorandum to the Peace Conference, blaming the Allies for the Scape Flow sinkings, as the warships, contrary to the armistice, were not interned in neutral but in British ports. Germany contends that Admiral Renter, cut off from communication with the homeland, was bound to assume that the armistice ended, on June 21, and so ordered sinkings in accordance with seamen’s usage. Admiral Reuter was withdrawn from the German Government’s authority, and the latter therefore was not responsible for his acts, but in order to prevent the dispute delaying the peace treaty having effect, which is urgently desired, Germany is prepared to have the affair submitted to the permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague. —Reuter.

REBELLIOUS HUN PRISONERS

BROUGHT TO THEIR SENSES BY

FOOD SHORTAGE

(Received Dec. 3, 12.10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 28

Sixteen hundred German naval prisoners from Scapa Flow refused to work at Oswestry camp. The authorities withheld their rations for three davs, and the prisoners then resumed work.