GRAF SPEE READY FOR SEA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21530, 18 December 1939, Page 7

GRAF SPEE READY FOR SEA

Must Fight or be Interned

Germans Given Time Limit

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph-—Copyright (Received December 17, 11.50 p.m.) MONTEVIDEO, December 17. WITH MANY repairs macle and a stock of provisions aboard, the Graf Spee ’’ was apparently ready early this morning to tight or run the Allied blockade at 3 o’clock. Small craft and barges were ordered away and the battleship lay with her bow towards the breakwater opening within half an hour of clear water, but in spite of the favourable condition of the moon, the set and a slight fog she had not moved at 2.30. At 12.39 a.m. yesterday small craft and barges were ordered away from the Graf Spee, which it is believed is preparing to sail. If the secrecy shrouding the Uruguayan foreign office could be penetrated it would probably reveal a battle as thrilling diplomatically as that of last Wednesday was militarily. While Britain and France are reported to have continued to strengthen the forces at the mouth of the Rio De La Plata, the Graf Spee’s crew feverishly continued repairs. The tension was heightened yesterday afternoon when smoke poured from the funnels and the bow swung to seaward. Meanwhile South America’s foreign affairs ministers were equally busy trying to prepare against the situation that Uruguay was facing as a result of the Graf Spee’s entry. The busiest has been the Uruguayan Foreign Minister (Dr Albert Guani), who has been divided between a delicate diplomatic situation with Britain and discussion concerning joint action to protect South American neutrality Throughout the day Senor Guani has been under the strongest pressure from both Britain and Germany. The German Minister called at mid-day and 5 p.m., leaving at 7.45 p.m. grimfaced and agitated. The British Minister left at 9 p.m. more cheerful than previously.

Newspapermen were told that the time expires at 6 p.m. not 8 p.m. to-morrow. During the day Captain Langsdorff, of the Graf Spee, high Italian and German diplomats and the Uruguayan Rear-Admiral Reute, who is of German descent and German educated, conferred at the German legation, suggesting that the Graf Spee might try to seek refuge again at an Argentine port, thus giving a further 24 hours delay, enabling the arrival of reported reinforcements. Hundreds of sailors worked on the Graf Spee’s decks. The shell holes on the starboard quarter were plugged inside. The jagged edges of a huge hole on the port side of the bow were smoothened and boarded with heavy planks. The anti-aircraft gun tower which was torn from its base was replaced and the damaged aeroplanes discharged ashore The pumps were working constantly. Work continued until 10.30 p.m. when the lights were extinguished. It is officially learned that Captain Langsdorff considered going to Buenos Aires, but when the subject was broached unofficially the Germans were informed that the Graf Spee would not be allowed to remain more than 24 hours in any Argentine port. The Rome radio reports that the Admiral Scheer escorted by submarines is proceeding to Montevideo. It is officially stated from Rio de Janeiro that H.M.S. Renown has asked permission to enter the harbour.

The German Embassy is declining to accept the time limit and insisting on an unlimited extension on the ground that it was impossible to complete repairs. The impression in Uruguayan circles is that the Germans are playing for time and are more interested in awaiting favourable circumstances to escape rather than in making repairs. At 1 a.m. Dr. Guani said the negotiations had been suspended until 8 a.m. on Sunday. A message from New York states that the Uruguayan Government has fixed 8 p.m. on Sunday as the limit of the Graf Spee’s stay says the Montevideo correspondent of the "New York Times.” The Argentine and Uruguayan fleets will establish a joint patrol to prevent a battle with the combined British and French squadron within their jurisdictional waters. The news agencies in Montevideo are agreed that Uruguay has given the Graf Spee until Sunday night to leave, but in the absence of an official Government announcement the deadline is uncertain. According to the Associated Press of America the Uruguayan Naval Board after inspecting the Nazi vessel, commended 5 p.m. Montevideo ime. The Foreign Minister, Dr. Guani, refused publicly to announce the autual deadline on ethical grounds lest he be regarded as revealing the German plans to the enemy. The correspondent of the "New York Times” says that Uruguay sent Britain and Germany Notes protesting against having fought within the mouth of the River Plate. The Notes state "-at although the River Plate is more t'-an three miles wide, the Argentine and Uruguay consider its entire width constitutes their jurisdictional waters. ■They also charge the warships at one times with exchanging shots within the three mile limit, They further protest against the battle taking place within the 300 miles neutral zone established at the Panama Conference. The River Plate is more than 100 miles wide off Montevideo. The Argentine and Uruguayan Governments are determined to prevent if possible a naval action within the river. It is understood that the combined navies will begin patrolling at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Measures by South America Measures that South American countries are studying to prevent a repetition of the Graf Spee incident Include the adoption of uniform legislation providing for the immediate internment of any belligerents warships entering a neutral port, says the Montevideo correspondent of the "New York Times." This is at present Brazilian law. Uruguay's protest to Britain and Germany charging them that part of the battle was fought within the jurisdictional waters of the River Plate has angered the Americas and convinced them that the protection of their neutrality will require something stronger than resolutions. The feeling is growing that the Graf Spee took refuge to escape a tactical disadvantage of battle rather than because she was in danger of sinking. The American State Department is most concerned at the prospect of a repetition of the sea battle. Mr Cordell Hull indicated that it would be viewed as another serious breach of the neutrality zone.

Minister of its views of the position Under The Hague Convention, 1907, and Mr Millington Drake took the first convenient opportunity to acquaint the Uruguayan Government with these views. There was no cause for or question of formal representations, nor on the other hand is anything known in official circles in London of the reported representations by Uruguay to the British Government. Unconfirmed reports declare that German warships and possibly submarines are Assembling to meet the waiting cruisers in combat. They add that German prestige will not permit of Graf Spee’s internment. Anticipating a sequel to last Wednesday, thousands of Uruguayans >****■

POISED FOR FLIGHT

United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapn- Copyright (Received December 18, 1.45 a.m.) RIO DE JANEIRO, December 17. The Ark Royal has joined the Renown in the harbour at Montevideo. The Graf Spee remained poised for flight while Cabinet met to decide the German plea for an extension of the ship’s stay. ..........? .........4. 4.4.4.4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4.4.4.

are spending the week-end on the coast. Six N-v/ York businessmen are seeking the State Department’s approval to hire an aeroplane at a cost of 5000 dollars each to fly to Uruguay to watch the battle. WAS FORCED TO RUN Rocked By Guns Of Achilles United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright (Received December 17, 7.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 16. <«ie Graf Spee’s Commander, apttiu Hans Langsdorff. told the port authorities that a fuel shortage and the British cruisers’ hetdii.g tactics “placed him between the devil and the deep blue sea,” reports the Montevideo correspondent of the Associated Press of America. Captain Langsdorff added that when he sighted the Exeter at 6 a.m. off Brazil tin Graf Spee’s fiel was almost exhausted because he had been unable to contact the supply ship Tacoma, so he headed south. Off Uruguay he encountered the Achilles and Ajax, which manoeuvred, keeping the Graf Spee between them and the shore. C’aptaL. Langsdorff' sa’d he was afraid of risking the shallow water

Before the pursuing British cruisers became known in London, the British Government, in accordance with normal usage, advised the British

to starboard and was without sufficient fuel for a run to sea for a freer combat pc sition, so he opened fire on the Exeter. In the lively exchange which followed the Exeter was damaged severely before the Ajax and Achilles could get into action. It was the latter’s six-inch guns that really rocked the Graf Spee. Captain Langsdorff praised the British marksmanship and said enormous damage was inflicted by the powerful shells which exploded after piercing ;he Sraf Spee’s armeur. He added that with the ship holed, many aboard dead, and his attempts to manje uve frustrated, he was forced to -un to port. FUNERAL OF VICTIMS Britain Sends Wreath United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright MONTEVIDEO, December 15. Five thousand watched the landing of coffins containing bodies of Graf Spec’s victims. Fourteen bus loads of Graf Spee’s crew, and Uruguayan and German officers followed the bodies to the cemetery. One wreath was inscribed: “To the memory of brave men of the sea from their comrades of the British merchant service.” The authorities banned a parade in the city to avoid incidents, because of general ill-feeling against Graf Spee.