PRISONERS OF WAR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17572, 16 May 1919, Page 2

PRISONERS OF WAR.

LEAVING AUCKLAND

EXCITEMENT AT" NARROW NECK

One hundred and sixty-eight prisoners of war, who had expressed a desire to be sent back to theii' respective countries, left by special train for Wellington to join the Wi;lochra. There were 71 Germans, many of whom have been interned since the occupation of Samoa, 3 German women, and 13 children, 80 Jugo-Slava, and 1 Austrian. The prisoners were brought across the harbour from Narrow Neck camp in the deience steamer, and were entrained at Queen's Wharf.

Among the prisoners were Dr. B. Schultz, ex-Governor of Samoa; Dr.i G. Seasons, formerly Agricultural Adviser in Samoa; Count Felix yon Graf Luckner, and Navigating Lieutenant Kircheisss, whose exploits are well known, to New Zealanders. j IN THE HIGHEST SPIRITS. ! The greatest excitement prevailed among the Germans at Narrow Neck camp during the afternoon. Everyone appeared to be in the highest spirits. The men who were to leave rushed round among their friends who were to remain, shaking hands constantly and smiling broadly. Count yon. Luckner displa: ?,d almost a schoolboy excitement. He wore a new naval uniform, bearing four ribbons, and he pased from group to group calling loud farewells in his own tongue. The Count was not the only well-groomed prisoner. Many oi! the Germans had new clothes and boots, and some of the first-class prisoners wore gloves and carried canes. What struck the onlooker ' was the healthy well-fed appearance of the prisoners, who marched in perfect step from the camp to the wharf. The Germans had a much more pronounced military appear--1 ance than the Jug^-Slavs. As the i latter marched out of the camp the Germans looked on in silence, but when the Germans left there were noisy farewells.

Motor-cars were provided for Dr. Schultz, Count yon Luckner, and a few other officers, and the women and children. Dr. Schultz adopted a superior air, and gave the impression that he was riding in state. Not so the naval officers, who passed the main procession in a car; they waved their hands and shouted greetings, as if on a joy ride. No crowds gathered to witness the march through the suburb of Devonport, the military officers having succeeded in keeping the departure of the prisoners almost a secret. A few boys CGuntec'. out the prisoners as they passed, and two other juveniles commenced the refrain of the song, "Good-bye-ee."

YON LUCKNER'S BOAST

Speaking to an Auckland officer, Count yon Luckner boasted that the Kaiser would return to the throne. He made no remark about the German navy.

The Willochra will have 410 prisoners on board, and will embark more in Australia. About 40 prisoners remain at Narrow Neck camp.