TEUTON SHIPS ELUDE GUARDS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 12810, 30 March 1916, Page 8

TEUTON SHIPS ELUDE GUARDS.

All America has been electrified by the barefaced action of German steamship commanders whose vessels have been interned in South American ports, and who, by a ruse, managed to escape to sea.- thereby breaking their word of honour to remain in port until the end of the war.- A. hint had reached the ears of official Washington that a combined effort would shortly be made to dash to sea to initiate commerce raiding, and special guards were placed at various South American ports by the Governments there to foil any attempt on. the part of interned vessel commanders and their crews. At the outset the threat was legarded simply as Teutonic bluff to create a profound impression of' Germanic determination. On February 12. however, two interned steamship's escaped and managed to reach the high seas, supplied, according to reports, current in Buenos Aires, v.-ith ample quantities of coal by Germans in South America. Direct evidence of the purpose behind the escapes was lacking, but at Buenos Aires it was presumed that the vessels would attempt to join other German ships, and after being equipped would be used for commerce raiding. The two escaped vessels are the Bahrenfeld, which was interned l at Buenos Aires, and the Turpin, interned at the Chilian port of Punta Arenas, in the Straits of Magellan. Both vessels got awav through the use of the same ruse. Their commanders went to the port authorities of Buenos Aires and Punta Arenas respectively, and said the machinery of the vessels was deteriorating in the long 'internnient through lack of use. To remedy this condition the commanders asked for permission to. test the engines in a day s run, promising, to return to port the same day. Accepting the Eroniise at it 3 face value the auhorities of oth ports gave the desired permission; the vessels were-coaled and left port. Neither has retnrned. Since their sailing it was reported that both ships were amply supplied with food and coal for a long voyage through the efforts of Germans in_ Buenos Aires and in Punta Arenas. While the Bahrenfeld and Turpin were successful in getting to sea, dispatches from Rio de Janeiro told of the failure of a similar atempt by the German steamship Asuncion, interned at Para. The Asuncion pursued different tactics from the two vessels which succeeded. Her commander asked for and received permission to move his vessel to a pier for the purpose of taking on a supply cf drinking water. The vessel, getting up steam ostensibly for the short move to the pier, turned and made for the .open sea. The Brazilian cruiser Republics and the'auxiliary vessel Teffe were in the harbour on guard, and when' the Asuncion's purpose was manifest fired blank shots to halt her. The German vessel paid no attention to these warnings, and the two Brazilian ships opened fire with-projectiles. Thereupon the Asuncion stopped. On being overtaken her commander explained that he had no intention of escaping. The vessel was brought back £o the harbour, and the Government issued orders for a prompt investigation.