WRECKING THE GERMAN NAVY UNDER THE ARMISTICE

By Commander Charles C. Gill, U. S. N.

AN example of the manner in which the terms of the Armistice were enforced is given in this account by Commander Gill of the disposition of the German sea-power. The Naval conditions provided first, that all submarines be surrendered; second, that designated surface warships be disarmed and interned, and third, that all other surface warships be disarmed and placed under the supervision of the Allies and the United States of America.

Of 441 submarines built and laid down by Germany, 343 were built during the war and 70 were being built when it ended. 135 were surrendered and 96 were broken up in Germany.

Of the German capital ships here enumerated as being interned at Scapa Flow during the latter part of November and early December, 1918, a majority were sunk by their own crews, June 28, 1919, to the small regret of the Allies.

SEVENTY ships of the German Navy five battle-cruisers, nine battleships, seven light cruisers, and forty-nine destroyers were interned on November 21 [1918 ] at Rosyth. One battleship, one battle-cruiser, one light cruiser were short of the numbers named in the Armistice terms. The number of capital ships interned was brought up to sixteen by the inclusion of eleven battleships and five battle-cruisers. On the 22nd the enemy ships set out under a strong escort for Scapa Flow, where they were to remain until the Peace Treaty decided their fate.

At 1 1:00 a.m. on the 21st Admiral Beatty made a signal by wireless to the German Admiral: "The German flag will be hauled down at sunset today (Thursday), and will not be hoisted again without permission." This order was complied with by the Germans, but on the following day Rear-Admiral von Reuter from the "Friedrich der Grosse" issued a protest to Admiral Beatty:

"You ordered by wireless of November 21st that the German flag, after being hauled down at sunset, was not to be hoisted again without special permission. On November 21 st I urgently requested the Chief of the Staff of Admiral Madden that this order should be canceled, as the German ships have flown their flags honorably. I have not yet received an answer.

"According to the terms of the Armistice, the ships were, to be interned in neutral harbors or in harbors of the Allies. As far as I know, during internment in neutral harbors during this war and former wars flags have always remained hoisted. Had I been interned in a neutral harbor this would have been the case. Neutral harbors and harbors of the Allies are absolutely parallel, according to the literal conditions of the Armistice and to the sense of the conditions of internment.

"Therefore, I esteem it unjustifiable and contradictory to international custom to order the striking of the war flags in the German ships. In addition, I am of opinion that the order to strike the flag is not in keeping with the idea of chivalry between honorable opponents. I therefore now enter an emphatic protest against this order."

The Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet made the following reply:

"Your protest against my order regarding the flying of German colors is noted. I would draw your attention to the fact that an Armistice suspends hostilities and that a state of war still exists between Germany and the Allies. Under the circumstances no enemy vessel can be permitted to fly the national ensign in British ports while under custody."

On November 20 twenty German submarines came to surrender to the British squadrons and flotillas under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir Reginald Tyrwhitt off the Suffolk Coast. The submarines were accompanied by two German transports, the "Tibania" and "Sierra Ventana, which were to take the submarine crews back to Germany. All the crews of the British ships were at their quarters, and with the U-boats in charge proceeded toward Harwich. About 20 miles off the port the ships anchored and British crews were put on board the German vessels to take them into harbor. As the boats went through the gates the White Ensign was hoisted over each German flag. On November 21 nineteen of the submarines, one having broken down on the way, surrendered to the British naval forces. On November 22 twenty more submarines were surrendered, and on November 25 a further twenty-eight U-boats arrived.