THE SCAPA SINKINGS

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14235, 9 December 1919, Page 6

THE SCAPA SINKINGS

FIXING THE RESPONSIBILITY.

IMPORTANT LETTERS REVEALED

TO REFUTE GERMAN CLAIMS

(Renter's Telegrams.) LONDON, Dec. 3

An Admiralty communique, referring to Germany's contention that Admiral von Router scuttled the German fleet at Soapa Flow without the knowledge of any German civil or military authority, publishes a translation of a letter found in the safe of the flagship Kmden. The document is dated May 9, and is marked "Most secret." It was written by Admiral von Trotsa, Chief of the German Admiralty, to Admiral von Router, and it discusses the Allies' probable intentions in regard to the fate of the interned Heel, which it is declared, however, cannot be decided without German co-operation and cou-

summaled by Germany. The letter emphasises that surrender to the enemy was out of the question.

The Admiralty cites the foregoing, and other instances, in refutation of the German allegation that German orders failed to reach Admiral von Reuter, and shows that the last orders reached him on June 17, the very day on which, according to the text of another document, he instructed ins commanding officers, carefully detailing .the preparations to effect the rapid sinking in the event of forcible British intervention without German assent or on his orders in connection with which he had indicted a secret code. Admiral von Reuter added that should the German Government agree to surrender under the peace terms, then the ships must be handed over "to the lasting disgrace of those who placed us in the position."