London, Dec. 15.
Unofficial but well-informed quarters meanwhile passed on Montevideo reports which asserted the Graf Spee was very severely damaged during the battle.
"The control turret was shot away, the anti-aircraft guns were blasted from their rivettings, projectors were smashed and gun-controlling machinery, delicate in the best of circumstances, was pounded into a tangled mass of scrap iron.
"The armoured plating of the Graf Spee's hull was pierced and wrenched and a great deal of damage was stated to have been caused inside the vessel, although its exact nature was unknown here, Since to date it was believed that a pocket battleship could withstand even four cruisers armed with eight-inch guns, British naval quarters said tonight the Graf Spee's defeat was significant in the information it gives the British Admiralty, The pocket-battleship, it was believed, first was damaged by the Exeter's heavier guns while the Achilles and Ajax, with lighter armament, were able to continue {he attack later, when the Exeter had to drop out of the battle.
"The greatest manceuvring skill was shown and a fine display of accurate firing was given by the British vessels," naval quarters summed up.—Havas.
First reports on the German freight ter's capture had claimed she was sunk after her crew put out in lifeboats.—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.