NAVAL MATTERS

Southland Times, Issue 17657, 15 February 1916, Page 5

NAVAL MATTERS

FRENCH CRUISES MISSING. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) LONDON, February 13. Received February 14, 3.30 p.m. There has been no news of the four thousand-ton French cruiser Admiral Charner since February 8, when she was on the coast of Syria. The Germans claim that they submarined a French warship on February S.

(The Admiral Charner, is an old cruiser of 4680 tons, laid down in 1890. She steamed 18.5 knots, and carried two 7.6 inch guns, six 5.5 inchers, four 3-pound-ers, and six one-pounders). THE GOEBEII AND BH33SI.AU SEMX-OFPICIAi STORY PUBLISHED THE BOOH OF THE HOUR IK GERMANY LONDON, February 13. Received February 14, 10.30 p. m . A semi-official history of the Goeben and Breslau is now the book of the hour in Germany. The author is Emil Ludwig, who had access to the log. The telegraphed summary states that the officers of the Gloucester arranged to dine aboard the Breslau on 31st July, but the Gloucester disappeared that night. Four days later the Breslau was chasing the Gloucester through the Mediterranean. The Breslau received a wireless that political relations had been broken off between the Triplice and the Triple Entente. Thereupon they rushed at 28 miles an hour towards Brindisi. The Breslau and the Goeben reached Messina on 2nd August, but that Italy had prohibited coaling at her ports. Admiral .Souchon regarded this as a terrible blow, as the bunkers were empty. They telegraphed to Rome: We demand coal. Then they scraped together what coal was available from German steamers in the ports. The Gooben and Breslau put to sea on the morning of the 3rd. They then received a wireless that France had declared war. The Admiral ordered them to stoke like the devil. None slept that night. They received a wireless order at midnight to go full speed to Constantinople. The Goeben bombarded Phillipcilic, then made for tlio open sea. During the morning she sighted the Invincible and Inflexible. Admiral Souchon said they must use the few hours remaining before war was declared with England. The Doctor and the officers joined in stoking. At 11 the following night they were informed that Britain had declared war. The Admiral on August Glh ordered that tlie Breslau and Goeben must break through and reach the Dardanelles. He wanted to create the impression they were going into the Adriatic. The Kaiser wirelessed. 1 expect you to succeed in breaking through. The book destribed how the Goebeu saw the Gloucester and listened to the latter's wireless signals that the Goeben was, making towards the Adriatic. it was ten in the evening when the Breslau suddenly changed her course, and headed for Cape Matapan. The watching British cruiser saw the manoeuvre, hut Admiral Souchon ordered: "Jam the wireless: jam like hell.”

Tiie Ooehen's operators sent out confused wireless signals for hours, wave deadening wave. During these hours tlie Gormans were travelling rapidly oast, while the British warship, like a dreamer who tries to call out, never once succeeded in signalling what they wanted to convey.

When tlic Admiral reached Constantinople he received a message from the Kaiser, who cent acknowledgments.