WIDESPREAD SEDITION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9789, 12 October 1917, Page 5

WIDESPREAD SEDITION

GRAVE POSITION IN GERMANY COMMOTION CAUSED BY SENSATIONAL DISCLOSURES SERIOUS MUTINY IN NAVY; ARMY IS ALSO AFFECTED, By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian ami New Zealand Cable Association. (Received October 11, 5.30 p.m.) ROTTERDAM, October 10. A revolt occurred at Wilhelmshaven six weeks ago. Inquiry showed widespread organised sedition, which was suppressed with difficulty. There hare also been several mutinies in the army, but of a less grave character. Reuter's Telegrams. COPENHAGEN, October 10. Admiral von Capello, head of the Imperial Admiralty, made a sensational statement in the Reichstag. He disclosed the fact that a plan to introduce Russian revolutionary ideas into the German navy had been assented to by Independent Socialist members of the Reichstag in the course of a conference actually held in the Reichstag building. The conference, ho sard, approved a scheme by which representatives should bo selected on board all the ships, who were to persuade the men to disobey orders, paralyse the fleet, and force the conclusion of peace. “I am able to state,” ho added, “that in subsequent events in the navy the few persons who forgot their honour and duty suffered the deserved penalty.” • v Advices from Berlin show that tho Reichstag revelations have caused commotion in Germany, The poliico charged demonstrators in Berlin. MUTINY ON FOUR GERMAN BATTLESHIPS CRUISER BREAKS AWAY FOR NORWAY BUT IS RECAPTURED. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received October 11, 8 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, October 11. Details of the mutiny show that sailors threw the captain of the West* falen into the sea. His body was recovered eight days later. The mutineers left tho ships and went ashore. The marinps were ordered to attack them, but refused. The Oldenburg Regiment was called out arid surrounded the mutineers, who surrendered. In addition to tho mutinous crows of the four battleships, the crew of the Nurnberg, which was at sea, revolted, seized tho officers and headed tho vessel for Norway with the object of getting themselves interned." En route the Numbers encountered a torpedo boat flotilla, which signalled the Nurnberg. The latter made no reply, and the commander of tho flotilla, becoming suspicious, sent a wireless‘message to Wilbclmshavcn. Ho received instructions to stop or sink tho Nurnberg. Tho crew of the latter, seeing the ship surrounded, surrendered, and the Nurnberg was convoyed to Wilheknshaven. : The Kaiser, accompanied by Dr Michaelis, came to Wilholmshaven and ordered one out of every seven of the mutineers to bo shot. Dr Micteclis objected that he was unable to assume such responsibility before the Reichstag. Eventually only three were shot, and the others heavily sentenced.^ One of the reasons fop the mutiny is said to be duo to bad and inadequate' food. GUARDED COMMENT IN GERMAN PRESS DISCLOSURE OF NAVAL TRAGEDY DEPLORED. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association, i (Received October H, 8 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, October 10. Loading German newspapers deal guardedly with the mutiny. The “Vossieche Zeitung” considers the affair very regrettable, bill regards the manner of its revelation as an important Government coup in view of the outcry against the Government’s pro-war propaganda in tho army and navy. - - The “Berliner Tageblatt” deplores the disclosure regarding this profoundly sad 1 naval tragedy in the midst of a political struggle. It expresses a hope that tho Reichstag will hand over to justice the Independent Socialist leaders, if proved guilty. Tho “Vorwoerts,” in an article entitled “Michaelis’s End,” censures tho Chancellor for dishing up the revolt without proving his allegations against tho Independent Socialists. NAVAL SEDITION A SERIOUS SYMPTOM REVOLUTION IN GERMANY FULLY EXPECTED. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received October 11, 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, October 11. Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge considers that the German naval sedition is a serious symptom. He believes tbat a revolution must come. This amount of smoke means rather a serious fire. GOVERNMENT SECURE COMPLETE VICTORY PAN-GERMANS WILL HAVE FULL COMMAND OF GERMANPOLICY. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received October 13, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, October 11. Tho “Daily Chronicle’s” Amsterdam correspondent says that Admiral von Capello’ s declaration caused a split in the Democratic bloc, leaving the Government decided masters of tho situation when the political crisis threatened groat trouble. As the result of the debate. Dr. Michaelis is now firmer in the saddle than ever. The Pan-Germans scored a great success, and loudly applaud the Chancellor for his firm handling of the situation. A vote of want of confidence in the Government at the close of the debate rallied many malcontents to tbe Government, leaving the Socialists in a - hopeless minority. Though the revelations will probably infuse now bitterness into the political struggle, the not result is that the Pan-Germtms for sometine to come will have complete command of German foreign policy.