FIGHT REFUSED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23616, 28 March 1940, Page 11

FIGHT REFUSED

GRAF SPEE'S CREW ALMOST A MUTINY WHY SHIP WAS SCUTTLED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 2<i The Admiralty reveals that the refusal of the crew of the Admiral Graf Spee to take out their ship to meet the waiting British warships led to the decision to scuttle her. The officers appealed to the crew eight times, and finally Captain Langsdorff himself appealed—but without avail. The officers later protested against the decision and called for volunteers to fight, Only 60 men stepped out. The Admiralty's statement is based on a most reli-able report dealing with events leading up to the scuttling. It states that repairs to the Graf Speo uere pushed on at top speed from the morning of December 14. Ihe crew suddenly refused to go to sea, and on December 16 the officers harangued their men all day long at numerous musters. When the ratings broke the ranks, verging on mutiny, Captain Lnngsdorlf put ashore 200 of them and reported to the German Minister, who advised Hitler. Captain Langsdorff returned at midnight, after which the removal of gear and lood began, contrasting with the previous hurried provisioning. Observers in merchantmen moored near the Graf Spee witnessed scenes on the decks all dav.

; SUBMARINE RAIDS EXTENSION TO PACIFIC ' REPORT FROM SHANGHAI PROVISION OF RUSSIAN BASE (Received March 27, 7.JS p.m.) NEW YORK. March 2G British and French naval authorities in the I'ar East are apprehensive of German submarine raids in June in the Western Pacific, says the Shanghai correspondent of the New York Times. It is revealed that the Soviet has turned over to Germany the control of Whale Bay, in the Possiet Bay district, Russian Manchuria. The technical, mechanical, naval and administrative personnel there is exclusively German, and large workshops have been completed. A submarine manufactured in Germany and railed across Siberia last November is being assembled. The American naval authorities in Washington are giving close attention to reports of a German submarine base at Whale Bay, but at present they see little menace to the United States, and they are inclined to dismiss the reports as a further move in the European war of nerves. Possiet Bay is a large and muchindented harbour about 60 miles southwest of Vladivostok. THROUGH THE CANAL MAURETANI A'S VOYAGE LINER NOW IN PACIFIC (Received March 27. 5.5 p.m.) BALBOA, March 27 The Mauretania, heavily guarded, made the transit through the Panama Canal yesterday. The tolls amounted to 12,800 "dollars. The Mauretania left Balboa this morning and sailed into the Pacific. The Queen Mary has not been reported. PLOUGHING CAMPAIGN EXTRA BRITISH AREAS FARMERS' GOOD EFFORT (Received March 27, 6.25 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, March 26 The Government's scheme of grants to farmers who plough additional land to increase Britain's food supply and thus release tonnage needed for the importation of other war supplies, is said to have had gratifying results. The News Chronicle says: "Farmers have laboured like Trojans to make a success of the ploughing campaign. If the weather is reasonably good during the next few weeks they will probably be able to complete the programme of 2,000,000 extra arable acres in addition to the 11,000,000 acres which wbuld be ploughed in any case."

DIRE PREDICTION FAMINE AND DISEASE PROSPECT FOR EUROPE NEW YORK. March 20 "Europe is fast becoming one of the greatest famine areas in modern history," said Mr. Morris Troper, European director of the American Jewish Distribution Committee, on his arrival in New York. "Masses of the population in the occupied areas face extinction on an unprecedented scale, in ways which make the Black Hole of Calcutta seem mild," said Mr. Troper. "Lack of food, shelter and medical supplies is creating misery that beggars description. "Unless help on a large scale is immediately made available epidemics may break out and spread throughout Europe. "The Jews are facing the darkest period in their history. Persecution is spreading in Hungary and in Rumania." GERMAN TORPEDO double purpose denied LONDON. March 20 The Admiralty states that tho torpedo found at Bridlington, Yorkshire, was of the ordinary type, but slightly altered for use by aeroplanes. It was reported yesterday that the torpedo was of a new type, which, it was considered, became a mine if it missed its target.