THE GRAF SPEE

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21082, 8 April 1940, Page 7

THE GRAF SPEE

CREW TO BE GAOLED ARGENTINE’S IRRITATION BREACH OF HOSPITALITY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, April 6 All the officers and half the crew of the scuttled German warship Admiral Graf Spee have been ordered to be confined at an early date in a naval prison on Martin Garcia Island, River Plate, and thenceforth to be treated as prisoners instead of as interned seamen, says the Buenos Aires correspondent of the New York Times. This drastic action is the result of the Argentine Government’s irritation over the officers and men of the Graf Spee committing breaches of Argentina’s hospitality. Specific causes of complaint are the escape of three officers, including the third in command and two sailors, and the persistent refusal of the officers to pledge their honour not to escape. The prisoners include Commander Kay, second in command. One of the escaped men is reported to have reached Germany with documents from the scuttled vessel, says the Buenos Aires correspondent of the Associated Press of America. It is revealed that numerous attempts to escape have been made by members of the crew interned in the interior. The Government, .in a statement explaining its action, said: “ Argentina has been excessively generous to these officers. We cannot allow our neutrality to be jeopardised, and we are therefore making sure they will not be able to return to resume belligerent action.”