The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-06-26
WHEN SAILORS REFUSED TO
HALT. BRITISH GUARDSHIPS
KILLED A NUMBER OF THEM.
| BATTLE SHIP LEFT;
CREWS UNDER ARREST
Adruirals and Other Officers and, Sail
ors Were at Once Taken Into Gus
tody-"Only What Our Sailors
Would Have Done" Says Paper.

London, June 22-All the German
battle ships and battle cruisers in
termed at Scapa Flow were sunk by
their crews yesterday, excepting ths
Baden, the admiralty announced to-
night. The Baden is still afoat.
Killed Some of the Germans.
The admiralty's statement follows:
According to reports, all Ger
man battle ships and battle cruisers
were sunk, except the Baden, which is
still afoat Five light cruisers were
sunk and the other three have beer
beached. Eighteen destroyers also
were beached by local tugs. Four de-
stroyers are still afloat. The rest OF
the destroyers were sunk.
1.-The German rear-admiral and most
of the crews are in custody aboard our
ships Some boats from the ships re-
fused to halt when ordered and were
fired upon. Smau numbers of Ger
mans were killed and wounded"
Did Not Give Number Sunk.
The admiralty's statement did not
state specifically how many German
ships were sunk. At the time OF
their internment it was said there
were nine dreadnaughts, five battle
cruisers. seven light cruisers and fifty
destroyers Tne official statement
however, mentions eight light cruisers
and refers to the dreadnaught Baden
which was not included in previous
lists.
Providing that the Baden and the
unnamed light cruiser are the only ad-
ditions to previous lists, and that all
the ships interned were still at Scapa
Flow, the admiralty statement would
Indicate that nine dreadnaughts, five
battle cruisers, five light cruisers and
twenty-eight destroyers were sunk, a
total of forty seven; three light cruis-
ers and eighteen destroyers beached
and one dreadnaught and four de-
stroyers afoat.
A Sensation in London.
News Of the dramatic sinking of the
German ships created a sensation
here. Late extras were eagerly bought.
The public forgot the peace crisis in
the surge Of excitement over this un-
expected development
There was much speculation regard
The method by which the Germans per-
fected their plot and put it into execu-
ton under the very noses of their
guards.
Each ship started to go down at the
same time, according to unofficial is
formation.
Fear Effect in Germany.
People also speculated as to the
probable effects of the sinking on the
peace situation. 1t was feared it
might greatly bolster up the morale
and determination of the German ma
tion.
The news was received with mixed
feelings. Some people grinned and
remarked it saved lot of trouble.
1T is just the way our boys would
have done under similar circumstan-
ces," many declared.
Others were bitter against the Ger
mans and declared that the enemy sea-
men should be executed.
Thre was much speculation regard
ing the form of punishment that will
be meted out to the Germans.
The belief was general that the ad-
mlralty will be the object Of much
criticism as the result of the sinkings.
No British Guards Aboard.
The crews, composed entirely of
Germans under the terms of the ar
inlstice, which did not permit of Brit
isn guards aboard, took to the boats
when the vessels began to settle.
while making for the shore the boats
We're challenged and called upon to
surrender, and those which ignored
ehe summons were fired upon, a few
casualties resulting.
NO Decision as to Punishment.
This stroke apparently was an en-
elIe surprise, and the first news reach
ca London thru correspondent who
was informed by farmers in the
nelgnoorhood that they had seen the
herman ships sinking with their flags
Inc admiralty at first denied the re-
port Dut later confirmed it and issued
an oiilcial statement. The German
S,ncers and crews have been prisoners.
zone zone OF the officials tonight would Of
ef an opinion as to how they are to
be dealt with.