SERVIVORS OF U41.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15131, 27 January 1917, Page 5

SERVIVORS OF U4l.

WERE THEY ILL-TREATED ' REPORT TO THE ADMIRALTY. . GERMAN LIES DISPOSED OF. In view of the German Government’* attempt to make what it calls “a sec-" ond Baralong case” of the sinking ojT. the submarine U4L on September 24," 1915, the British Admiralty has called/' on the commanding officer of the ship-' that sank the U4l for a report. Ber-v lin asserted that the British ship tried to ram a boat containing two survivors'' of the submarine. ■ The British commander fully answers the amazing German story (which wayadmittedly gathered at second hand in* Switzerland. He says his ship was not' > “hqaded towards the boat” in which) ■' were the two survivors of the U4W On approaching this boat, finding that', ■■fie ship had too much way on, he re-,, versed engines and put the'helm hard-a-port. The boat was pot struck by the ship; it came past along the porti side. The prisoners, however, when, their boat was some twenty yards away both dived overboard. The boat was. in uo way damaged; in fact, she waj>„ safely towed astern some 12U miles to port.’ '■ “The two prisoners again climbed/' into the boat when it was about thirty /, yards from my port quarter (proceeds £ the British commander), and I endba-G voured to come astern in order to pick “ them up out of the boat. On account of the direction of sea and wind, and; - ; also the fact that my ship was single--screwed, I could not prevent, the stern flying up into the wind, «nd, Had in :’ consequence to back right away and" come ahead again to pick them up, £ which was successfully done about tell J minutes later ”, £ SURLY HUN OFFICER. [ The wounded prisoner was treated S, with great care; bis wounds were wash- * ■'d and bandaged. The men were not'/ confined in any close space, but had * comfortable beds, with mattresses, pil- J lows, and plenty of blankets, in two * large, open-frented lockers, roughly 12 £ ft long by sft broad and sft‘ high. ; The open from had a canvas cover-' which could be bV&ught dowii if requir- ■ ed ; the prisoners seemed perfectly com- * fortable. and satisfied. Their chief re- » quirement seemed to be left alone in ® bed and not disturbed, for which pur- * pose the places described were eminent- ■ ly suitable--"airy,” wdthout being in » any way cold or unprotected. Next day, September 25, they were in port, but they were kept on board for two days pending: arrangements for •heir disposal,. During this period the unwounded prisoner was kept, in an emptv store-room under the poop, 15ft bv 20ft bv 10ft. He apparently had no complaint. The Fleet Surgeon found, the wounded officer’s quarters quit*’ comfortable. The prisoners were supplied with dry clothing immediately they got on board—with flannels, socks, drawers, and boots. The boots, which are the krgest procurable, i.e., the largest size in the service were, in the case of the seaman, too small, and hurt him, so hei' preferred often to go without them. The petty officer was evidently pleased with his treatment. Ho always smiled when spoken to, and said in broken English, “No more fighting.” The officer was surly, hut this was probably due to the seriousness of Jjia wounds.