THE GERMAN PRISONERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16429, 29 December 1917, Page 7

THE GERMAN PRISONERS

FURTHER DETAILS OF CAPTURE. : "YOU LEFT THE DOOR OPEN." Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Dec. 28. ! The publication of the following narrative is authorised by the Naval Adviser:— Leaving Motuihi on the evening of December 13, the Germans made directround to Mercury Islands, reaching the] group in twelve hours. Von Luckner posted a look-out on a high headland of Red Mercury Island; the easternmost, of the group. This man discovered the approach of the scows Moa_ and Rangi. Von Luckner immediately decided to seize the Moa. Allowing the Rangi to pass, the launch was stored for the Moa. The crew of the scow watched the approach of the launch without alarm, not knowing of the escape. Only one man was seen in the stern of the launch, and he was in khaki. Immediately the launch ran alongside the remaining members of the party appeared. They wero armed with what appeared to be bombs. The Moa was boarded and the crew informed that they were civilian prisoners of the Kaiser. _ The_ Germans hnd a hand-made nautical _ instrument for ascertaining their position, also a rough chart made out, of two old maps taken from an atlas. The Germaus took full charge of the Moa, "but made the scow's crew work _ the vessel. The Germans had sufficient food to last two or three weeks.

Land was sighted on the morning of Dooeniber 21. Five Germans went ashore in a dinghy and returned with a load of provisions from the depot. The dinghy was ashore for a second load Mdien a steamer -was sishted. The Germans ashore were signalled to return, and the Moa was put under way. with all sails set, in a westerly direction.

On December 21st the steamer sent to search for the Germans wa.s steaminc toward Curtis Island, and was fifteen miles to the north of that island when the Moa was sighted, near Mac Donald Cove. As soon as the Germans saw the steamer the Moa was directed on a course to the west, under press of sail. The signal "Heave to or T will fire" was koisrted on the steamer, but the Moa's course was not altered. She was then stopped by a shot across her bows.

Von Luckner remarked to his captors, "You left the door open. You cannot blame me for walking out." Prior to any of the Germans going on board the steamer they were observed to throw into the sea a number of weapons.

Shorly after their arrival on Wednesday the recaptured men were conveyed to Mount Eden gaol. Their future disposition has not yet been decided definitely. It is unlikely that they will go back to Motuihi._ Von Luckner and Kirschc-iss were each, dressed in khaki uniform, and wore naval caps. Von Egidy, who was formerly a plantation owner in Samoa, was sworn in with other members of the crew and supplied with the uniform of a naval petty officer. STEAMER. HAILED BY LAUNCH. MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE PEARL. Captain John M. Jackson; master of the steamer Oneroa, says the Auckland "Star," tells an interesting story of a somewhat sensational occurrence that occurred early on the morning of Sundav, the 16th. At about five minutes to 2 a.m., when the steamer was off Gull Point, near Arkle's Bay, a hail was received from a launch resembling the Pearl. Captain Jackson. who had left Auckland at midnight. knew of the escape of the German prisoners, and he was therefore prepared for a encounter by taking three service rifles and a fair amount of amrmmition. The launch approached the steamer, and Captain Jackson J hailed those on board, but got no j answer. The rifles were_ served out to "the men constituting the crew of the Oneroa, and they took up stations in readiness to give the escapees j in. fitting reception. Although the j ' steamer did not slow down, the launch drew alongside, and someone called out in English, asking the name of the steamer. Captain Jackson answered that she was the Oneroa, 'oound for Silverdale, and asked who they were, but got no answer. He could see only four men on the launch, but assumed that the others were out of sight. The launch then sheered off in the darkness. The speed of the launch wn= superior to that of the steamer, which was therefore unable t-o ':t.as? There five men aboard t'ie Oneroa, incluvng the saptain. Captain Jackson says that the launch was a small vessel, answering to the description of the Pearl, and he believes that she was that vessel, though there was just a possibility that she may hare been one of the patrol launches. He did not care to take the risk of firing on her. AT PRESENT IN GAOL. It is understood (says a Wellington correspondent), Ithat the re-captured German prisoners of war are at present in the Mount Eden Gaol, and their future disposition has not yet been decided upon definitely. It is- unlik'ly, in any case, that they will all go back to Motuihi; Somes Island is regarded as a. safer place of confinement. The Germans cannot properly be punished for their attempt at escape, but the authorities in New Zealand arc entitled to take special preoanions for the future. and these precautions may involve some substantial reduction of the privileges formerly enjoyed by the Germans.

VON LUCKNER AS KITCHEX BOY

lb is rather singular that at ihe prpsenic -time there should he in -Auckland a French chef who actually had Count von, Luckn'ST under him as a kitchen boy in Adelaide. This is ISI. Alex.

Faure, proprietor of a fish shop in Symonds street. M. Fa.ur* showed a •representative of the "Stnr*' h's discharge certificate from Darg : s Pier Hotel, Adelaide, dated 1904. and signed by E. Alexander. M. Faure said: "I was chef when von Xiuokner was kitchen boy. It happened this way. The barmaid was a German, and she got von. Luckner the job of kitchen boy. Of course I did nob know hei was a count at that time. The barmaid! said to me, 'Don't be hard on tMs boy. He knows nothing, but be good to him.' It was quite true he knew nothing of his work, but I could see ha was a gentleman. After peeling potatoes or doing any dirty work he was very careful to clean his nails and hare a batib. in the middle of the day. I should think he was about seventeen years old .at tfoat time, and rather effeminate looking. It was the German barmaid who asked me to find something for the lad tk> do. He le*ft about three -weeks aftrwards. Two or tibree weeks later I was in Adelaide, and th/re I Baw my old kitchen boy, but this tame he was_ dressed a? a gentleman, the cut of his clothes being faultless."

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