GREAT NAVAL FIGHT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17917, 22 October 1932, Page 6

GREAT NAVAL FIGHT

THE EMDEN’S NAME-PLATE

PRESENTATION TO GERMANY “To the German people the Australian people and its Government give ibis name-plate of the famous enusei Linden in recognition of ttie bravery ol its commander, the officers, and the crew in the tight on the high seas at Cocos Island on November 9, 1914, with the Australian cruiser Sydney, and in remembrance of the men and women ol both nations who gave their lives in the world war.” This inscription, prepared by the official war historian, Dr. C. E. Bean, and translated into German, is affixed to the figured Australian bluckvvood on which the brass name-plate of the Linden is mounted. The relic is being dispatched to England for presentation to me German Government, and it is hoped that Mr. Bruce will hand it over in Berlin. After the battered wreck of the Kmden had come to rest oil the shores of ,\..rih Keeling) Island, in the Cocos jump, several British cruisers visited her, and in 1915, following the offer of a Japanese firm to repair and float her, H'.AI.S. Protector was sent to report oil her condition and to salvage such guns ami relics as were recoverable. The name-plate tiius found its way to Australia, and from 1915 it was in a showcase in the Queen’s ltall, Parliament House, Melbourne, until it was moved to Parliament House, Canberra. Recently the War Memorial Board suggested' to Parliament that, as a token of good will, the name-plate should be returned to Germany. The SydneyEiiulen Association, of Sydney, which consists of survivors of the action, gave its approval and wished to be associated with the presentation. . Inquiries through the British Ambassador in Berlin resulted in a statement being issued by Wolff's Telegraphic Bureau, and published in nearly all German newspapers under such headings as ".Magnanimous Attitude of Australia” and “Generous Action of Australian Government.” It included the following:—“The Chancellor (Dr. Bruening) has expressed bis thanks to the British Ambassador for the generous offer. . .

The German Government regards the return of this souvenir ns a symbol that their former adversaries in the war are pr fferiim a hand in a spirit, of peaceful and friendly understanding.”