DUTCH NEUTRALITY

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 28

DUTCH NEUTRALITY

VIOLATION BY GERMANY

(Fbom Oub Own Correspondent.) LONDON, October 5

A little incident that occurred in Dutch territorial waters last week shows how bghtly the linns regard territorial neutrality and with what a high hand they try to bluff it out when caught in breaches of it. Towards evening on Tuesday a German seaplane was obliged to land in the Weilingen, not far from Zeeland, where a Dutch searching vessel was stationed. One of the airmen, says the Amsterdam correspondent of The Times, quoting from the leiegraaf, was taken on board by this vessel, but the second reiused to to leave the seaplane. Meanwhile a torpedo boat approached from Flushing. It lowered a boat with armed men, and the obstinate German was obliged to go abroad and proceed to the torpedo boat.

It is supposed that he had already signalled for assistance by wireless. Scarcely was he. on board before two German aeroplanes appeared above Dutch territory. The Dutch torpedo boat fired on them, whereupon they departed. The Dutch commander supposed that the incident was over, and that he could proceed with the internment of his captives, for which purpose torpedo boats were coming, when suddenly five or six German aircraft appeared from Zeebrugge. Three German seaplanes came a considerable distance above Dutch territory .- Others remained pretty far off, and outside territorial limits, probably watching lest any British aircraft should appear. One of the first three came very close to the torpedo boat. In this seaplane sat three men, including the commander and an old officer, possibly the flotilla commandant. The latter shouted and gesticulated, evidently wishing to talk about territorial limits. The Dutch commander ordered him to cease, but he refused. A warning shot above the machine resulted, in the Germans trying to escape. These incidents distracted attention from the damaged, interned machine, so other seaplanes, hovering around, were about to tow it away, but it was too late for them to effect their purpose. In the torpedo boat marines stood, armed with rifles. The commandant ordffred them to fire, and a volley was discharged. A number of bullets hit the German seaplane, which had attempted flight. The commandant fell, while an officer, apparently impressed -by this vigorous action, came "aboard the torpedo boat. A wounded man also staggered on board the Dutch vessel. Another German seaplane now came above the torpedo boat. It was necessary to fire on this one also, and it is believed to have been hit. Others remained visible some distance away. The torpedo boat left, having four Germen airmen aboard. One of the German seaplanes thug brought into Flushing is enormous, with two motors, and tho other of smaller type. Their arrival as they were towed through the locks, was Witnessed with great satisfaction by the people, who have had enough experience of such unwelcome visitors. One wounded airman is in hospital, and the three other? are awaiting internment. Last ' week, says the Telegraaf's correspondent, Gorman aeroplane which landed at Axel -was hindered in leaving again by civilians. The Germans threatened to shoot them unless they let the machine go, and thereby escaped.