On Saturday last, by order of Rear-Admiral von Reuter, the
German warships interned at Scapa Flow were scuttled by their crews. Nine out of ten liattleships, six battle-cruisers, five light cruisers, and thirty destroyers sank in deep water. The battleship 'Baden' remained afloat, with two destroyers. Three light cruisers and eighteen destroyers were run ashore by British naval officers. Some of the Germans, on leaving their ships, offered resistance and were fired on ; a few were killed or wounded. The remainder, eighteen hunched in number, were placed under arrest. Admiral Fremantle publicly rebuked Admiral von Reuter, in presence of his officers, for his disgraceful breach of faith, and reminded him bluntly that it was very far from being the first time that the Germans had violated all the decent laws and rules of the seas. Admiral von Reuter, far from being ashamed, justified his action. Yet in the Armistice Germany agreed that "no destruction of ships or of materials" was "to be permitted before evacuation, surrender, or restoration." It was on this condition that the Allies, disregarding the advice of the Admiralty, agreed that the German warships should be interned and not surrendered.
