THE NAVAL RAID

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16292, 27 January 1915, Page 5

THE NAVAL RAID

A DUTCH SKIPPER'S ACCOUNT. HOW THE ENEMY FLED. LONDON, January 25. The captain of the Dutch trawler Erica states that at 9.30 a.m., when hs was 120 miles from Heligoland, six large German ships, accompanied by 20 torpedoboats, appeared, and simultaneously the British cam* up. The Germans immediately went right-about-face The British opened fire, and their -projectiles fell like rain. He saw a German battleship sink, but the rest retired fighting. They were able to damage the British ships, though not seriously. The Germans were soon out of sight, with the British in pursuit. THE GERMAN VERSION. HOW NEWS IS MxiDE. ; BRITISH BATTLE-CRUISER SUNK. AMSTERDAM, January 25. The German official version of the naval •attle states that the British broke off th<; (ngagement 70 miles from Heligoland and •etreated, losing a battle-cruiser. The le;>ort admits that the Blucher was sunk. LONDON, January 25. The Berlin Admiralty states that the German force engaged comprised four cruisers and two torpedo flotillas, accompanied by a battle-cruiser, while the British squadron included 26 destroyers. The fight lasted three hours, and all the German vessels except the Blucher returned to harbour. "FIGHTING FISHER'S" BIRTHDAY PRESENT. NUMEROUS CONGRATULATIONS. LONDON, January 25. Admiral Lord Fisher, First Sua Lord, has received many congratulations on his birthday. "WELL DONE, HALSEY." MR MACKENZIE'S TRIBUTE. SOLIDARITY OF THE EMPIRE. LONDON, January 25. The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie telegraphed "Well done, Halsey!" to the captain of the New Zealand Mr Mackenzie, interviewed, said he was proud that the New Zealand had again been in the front rank of battle. New Zealanders were prouder than ever of their connection with the Mother Country. It would stimulate them to further efforts to shatter the mad idea of the BernhaTdi school that the outlying portions of the Empire were not heart and soul with the Mother Land. The new conditions after the war would require new management, each portion of the Empire having a voice in the Empire's councils, to be proportioned by the part each was performing. THE NEW ZEALAND'S PART. THE TIMES COMPLIMENTARY. LONDON, January 26: (Received Jan. 26, at 9.30 p.m.) The Times, in a leading article, says : " One point requiring further emphasis is the proof of Imperial solidarity supplied by the participation of the New Zealand in the North Sea fight. The whole Empire may well be proud that this fine warship, built for our brethren at the other end of the world, was able to do such excellent service." RUSSIANS DELIGHTED. PRAISE FROM ADMIRAL SKRYDLOFF. LONDON, January 26. (Received Jan. 26, at 8.20 p.m.) The Russians are delighted with Admiral Beatty's victory in the North Sea. Admiral Skrydloff declared that the British Navy has throughout accomplished everything that was humanly possible. Admiral Skrydloff has recently returned after several months' stay in England. BLUCHER'S CAPTAIN SAVED. LONDON. January 26. (Received Jan. 27, at 0.45 a.m.) The Blucher's captain was among the enrvivors. MR REDMOND'S CONGRATULATIONS. LONDON, January 26. (Received Jan. 27, at 0.45 a.m.) Mr John Redmond, on behalf of Wexfordians, has congratulated Admiral Beatty on bii victory.

ACCOUNT BY NEUTRAL SAILORS. BLUCHER'S CREW WENT DOWN SINGING. JACK TARS' GALLANT RESCUE WORK. AMSTERDAM, January 26. (Received Jan. 27, at 0.45 a.m.) The Erica's sailors state that the British fire was somewhat slower than the German, but far more effective. Every shell appeared to hit the Tight place. The Blucher was quickly disabled. Her crew sang patriotic songs while she was foundering. When the Blucher disappeared, British boats rescued numerous survivors under the relentless fire. One of the damaged German ships had her rudder disabled. PARIS REJOICES. PARIS, January 26. (Received Jan. 27, at 0.45 a.m.) Admiral Beatty's victory has been received with the greatest satisfaction here, and there are spirited newspaper comments. AMERICAN SATISFACTION. NEW YORK, January 26. '■ (Received Jan. 27, at 0.45 a.m.) Leading newspapers display a tendency to rejoice over Admiral Beatty's victory, this being due to a belief that the Germans were about to attempt another raid upon defenceless towns.