THE GERMAN RAIDER.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1917, Page 4

THE GERMAN RAIDER.

Further Captures. (Australian& N.Z. Cable Association ami Router). PERNAMBUCO, Jan. 20. Tko crows of the sunken ships state that the raider was of tlie Moewo type. The Dramatist sighted a stranger on the 18tli December, which came alongside and hoisted the German flag and gave the signal to stop.

Immediately on reaching the side oi the vessel, and under her forecastle, her bulwards dropped? revealing two 2J inch guns. The Dramtist surrendered and was sunk in six hours. Later, her crew was transferred to the Hudson Maru, which followed the raider until 12th January, when slio was sent to Pernambuco. When any vessel! was sighted all were sent below with tho water-tight door* locked.

The Germans told those captured that if a British cruiser, appeared they would not be allowed a chance of saving themselves. The raider left Kiel with a deekload of hay and flew a neutral flag. She steamed slowly during the day and at full speed by night.

When passing any neutral she hoisted the British flag. The captain states that ho did not desire to sink passenger vessels. Tlfose captured complain of scarcity of food, only receiving an ounce of meat daily.

The sanitary arrangements were so inadequate that an epidemic was threatened.

Whenever sinkings occurred by daylight the raider took moving pictures The Yarrowdale.

LONDON, Jan. 20. German official. —The British steamer “Yarrowdale” was brought into harbour on 31st December as a prize by nineteen of a prize crew. 469 men, crews of ships captured Til the Atlantic, were put aboard. Tho cargoes of the sunken ships were chiefly war material and foodstuffs. Three of the British sunken ships were armed. Of the crews taken 103 were neutrals and were detained as prisoners, because they had been employed on enemy ve*sels.

A German ClaimLONDON, Jan. 20. A Berlin official statement claims thal the Yarrowdale, brought into Swinnemunde the cargoes of the vessels captured, including 6000 tons of wheat, 2,000 tons of flour, and 1,900 horses. The Yarrowdale’s cargo included 117 motor lorries, 6,300 cases of rifle cartridges, 30,000 reels of barbed wire and much meat.

Another Report RIO JANIERO, Jan. 19. According to reliable information, tho Yarrowdale has arrived at San Vicenti, Cape Verde Islands, with the crows of eight ships sunk by tho Gorman raider.

New York Report. NEW YORK, Jan. 191. Tho “New York Times” Washing--ton correspondent learns that there- is more than one raider. Owing to tho transfer of guns and prize crews to the captured vessels he believes that the Azores is the pivot of operations.

Reports from Rio do Janiero differ. Some believe the raider is the Moewe. Others say that she is a heavily-arinecE yacht.

Several victims sent the 5.0..5. signal, hut the raider’s speed enabled her to overtako them. The American Consul at Pernambuco reports that no American ship wassunk. Anxiety is felt for tho otherships in tho raider’s path. Allied cruisers are scouring the ocean and forming a cordon.

, The Burden of the War. AMSTERDAM, Jan.PJ. Tho 'Berlin Financal weekly,. “Flatus” states that an indemnity is in an imperative necessity to Germany, If the war ends in June it w/U. cost'£6,ooo 000,000. The highest income tax and succession duties and the most productive monoplies would not enable Germany to raise the necessary interest for the redemption of the money.. £2.250,000,000 might be obtained by confiscating 30 per cent of the private property in Germany. It is therefore essential to, get at least this amount in war indemnity.