The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-06-26


BY United Press.
London, June 24.-Admiralty Off
Gals today considered measures to in
vestigate and fix responsibility for the
stroke by which the informed German
fleet at Scapa Flow was wiped out.
A commission probably will be ap-
pointed to hear testimony n decide
who is to blame for the fact that the
skeleton German crews remaining on
the informed warships were able to
open the sea cocks and sink the sur
rendered fleet. .
Admiralty officials maintained that
looseness Of the armistice terms, under
which German crews remained on the
vessels, made the cup possible.
So far as the public is concerned,
In many places the remark vas heard:
well, that's what we wanted done
with them, wasn't it?". -.
The impression seemed to prevail
that the Germans had saved the allies
some trouble.
Will Not Salvage.
1T was considered that the erstwhile
high seas fleet" will be allowed to re-
main at the bottom of Scapa Flow, as
cost Of salvaging would be great.
hAIlB ~ lllC DdllJ Nldllt SoDH
of the German admiral's detailed or
ders for sinking the fleet has been
found.
A dispatch to the Mail from Scapa
Flow quoted Won Reuter- as declaring
the ships were unk because the kali
ser, at the beginning of the war, or
1dered that no German vessels be al
lowed to fall into the enemy's hands.
Won Reuter- understood, he said, that
the armistice ended Saturday, so he
proceeded to carry out the order.
1t was noted that Won Reuter- visited
Berlin a few weeks ago under pretext
of Illness.
May Try Admiral.
Admiral Won Reuter- may be tried by
an international court, together with
U-boat commanders and other war
criminals, it was learned today.
The British admiralty Is forwarding
a full report Of the sinking to the naval
armistice commission in Paris, by
whom the next steps will be directed.
Two Warships AfIoat.
OF the German vessels informed in
Scapa Flow, the dreadnouglr Baden
and the cruiser Emden remained afloat
today; the Frankfort and the Nurem-
burg may possibly be salyaged. Two
destroyers were still on the surface
and 20 other destroyers were beached.
The other vessels of the once proud
German high seas fleet were beneath
the waves, sunk by their own German
crews to keep them from becoming the
property of the allies.
Fourteen hundred of the German
sailors have been landed. A few were
killed and six were wounded in clashes
with the British guards. Some may
have drowned.
The main force of the British fleet
was absent fro mScapa Flow, it's north
ern base, when the Germans essayed
their coup. A few drifters and small
craft were on hand and there were
some aircraft guarding the captured
warships. t ~ , ~ .a.
Describes Sinking. =
An eye witness gave this description
of the sinliines: ~
Saturday forenoon was quiet. The
u shown beautifully. At Don 1t was
reported that one German battleship
was sinking. Almost simultaneously
all the ships hofsted the German en-
sign. showing the red flag at their fore
masts. The crews Immediately began
leaving the ships. ..r u..... ....
by the behavior Of the sinking
ships 1T was evident the seacocks hal
ben opened TSoon all began to settle.
The Moltke. Seydlitz, Derfl.nger,
Won der Tam went down together
within an hour of the first sinking.
TT was a topsy turvy scene, ships
sterns sticking up, some almost en-
quilted, here and there a destroyer TAX
Ing a sudden dive. When the German
sailors rushed to their boats at the be-
ginning of the sinking man were
overcrowded and the anne jumped
Into the water. All wore life belts.
British guardships opened fire on
some OF the boats. resulting In some OF
their occupants jumping IND the water,
Destroyers picked them up.
German officers who were rescued
and brought aboard British ships
proudly saluted. clicking their heels