IGNOMINIOUS END

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21531, 19 December 1939, Page 7

IGNOMINIOUS END

Internment Would Have Been Better Germans Prepared For Scuttling United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Rec. Dec. 18, 11.30 p.tn.) LONDON, Dec. 18. The “Herald-Tribune” in an editorial, deals with the ignominious end of the Graf Spee, contrasting the unheroic scuttling with the original Admiral von Spee, who went down with his ship in the battle of the Falkland Islands in the last war. The naval correspondent of the “New York Times” says that the scuttling is a blow to the prestige and morale of the German Navy and perhaps the nation. The “New York Times,” in an editorial, praises the British seamanship and Uruguay’s firmness and respect of international law. According to a message from London» a high Naval authority in a statement published in "The Times" says that the scuttling of the Graf Spee which would never have happened in the old German navy, is more humiliating than if the Germans submitted to internment. To have steamed out and fought would have been magnificent; to have been interned would have been understandable, but they have chosen an ignominious end. A message from Berlin says that the Official News Agency stated that the Commander scuttled tire Graf Spee after Uruguay refused the necessary time for repairs. The Agency shortly before the scuttling issued a statement saying that her mission was fulfilled and gave details of her captures and sinkings. It was admitted for the first time that superior Allied forces were awaiting the departure of the Graf Spee. Reports were given prominence in the early morning editions indicating that the Government was preparing the people for her loss. Comment On Action The Sunday newspapers comment on Wednesday’s engagement. The "Observer” states: “The British Navy delivered a resounding stroke that makes the whole Empire tingle with pride and satisfaction. 'The cruisers that sent the far more powerful pocket-battleship Graf Spee staggering into a B neutral shelter have registered the most dramatic victory of the still young war. There is little need to trumpet its significance. That is done with sufficient emphasis by the onlooking world. Neutral comment has no hesitation ekner in proclaiming its completeness and importance, or in dismissing the silly automatic lie from Berlin ascribing it to gas shells.” The "Sunday Times” complains of the lack of inform-tion shown by those who regard this as a dull war and it reminds them that "there is being enacted on the sea and in the air round these islands and on ocean routes far distant, a drama that must thrill everyone who asks himself what it means. The epic story of the first great sea fight illuminates, as with a flash, the darkened scene on which this great dama is being enacted." The German newspapers and radio make much of the gallantry of the Graf Spee’s crew, which has never been questioned. They are trying to prove that the strength of the ship was considerably less than that of her attackers,' but they fail to point out that, though she has fewer guns, the Graf Spee’s broadside is heavier than that of the three British vessels combined.

An interesting point was broadcast from Hamburg, when reference was made to the pluck of the captain in accepting the British challenge when in fact his orders were to avoid a battle and just sink merchant shipping. TRADITIONS UPHELD Comment By Mayor “I think it would be fitting to refer to the successful naval action in the South Atlantic in which three Royal Navy ships took part," remarked the Mayor, Mr W. G. Tweedy, before commencing the business at the monthly meeting of the Timaru Borough Council last night, “and it is of particuiar interest to us that H.M.S Achilles, formerly of the New Zealand Squadron of the Royal Navy, had taken such a prominent part. Three British vessels had attacked the Admiral Graf Spee, a vastly superior German pocket battleship, and compelled her to flee for shelter and to commit ultimate self-destruction. We can take a -ertain r' '.ount of pride in the fact that H.M.S. Achilles was very prominent in the conflict, and in every sense the three cruisers upheld, in every sense of the word, the highest traditions of tne British Navy.” Councillors applauded Mr Tweedy’s remarks. CONGRATULATIONS TO DIVISION By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, December 19. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) to-day received the following cablegrams commending H.M.S. Achilles’s part in the sea conflict: From Lord Bledlsloe—“Please convey my warmest congratulations on the magnificent exploit. The whole Empire feels proud.” From Rear-Admiral Drummond, who formerly commanded the New Zealand Division—“ Heartiest congratulations to the New Zealand Division.’’