GERMAN SUBMARINE BASE

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13489, 21 May 1917, Page 7

GERMAN SUBMARINE BASE

ON THE AMAZON RIVER. The New York correspondent of the Montreal "Star," writing on February 13th, savs:— The Germans have established a base for submarines and raiders on the island of Menalaos, twentyfive miles ui> the Amazon river, according to passengers who arrived on the Sergipe, of th« Lloyd-Brazililiero line, from Pernambuco and Para. They said that it was common gossip in the northern seaports of Brazil that the Germans had several bases on the Amazon, the most important at Menalaos. As early as 1911 the Germans utilized Menalaos as a base for trading with the savage tribes up the river, they explained. The mouth of the Amazon is dotted with thousands of islands, any one of which could be used to excellent advantage as a base for a foreign government. Menelaos is fifteen miles long, and eight miles wide, and offers excellent harbour facilities for light draft vessels, as it is not far distant from the main channel. In the last six years mysterious vessels have been frequently noticed entering the Amazon carrying cargoes believed to be war supplies for a hidden German base. The centre of the island is a high plateau, which gives an abundant supply of fresh water, besides offering excellent opportunities for cultivation. Native pilots of the Amazon recalled, it was said, the several German vessels veered from their courses towards Menalaos ostensibly for trading in gutta percha and sending supplies to a colony of agriculturalists there. These supplies were always of a bulky nature according to the pilots, and wore bandied with excessive care. As Into as July, 1914. a month befor the outbreak of war in Europe, river pilots told in Para of the setting up of two high poles on the island, which were said to "talk with God." The conversation with the Almighty sounded like the "hum of a multitude of bees" accord ins to the simple natives —ignorant of the sounds made by wireless telegraphy. Tn November, 191 1, a German crir's. er, trapped by three British cruisers, headed up the Amazon instead of trying to run the gauntlet. She has not been heard from since.

The population of Mennlaos is comprised of approximately seventy-five Germans, fifty Japanese, who act as servants, and 100 Portuguese and Indians.