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ovements and activities on the part of German merchantmen were, however, again observed. The Government wireless station at Valparaiso intercepted messages from the _Dresden_ summoning friendly vessels to bring her supplies. Persistent rumours began to be circulated that she was hiding in the inlets of southern Chili. During January, 1915, the _Eitel Friedrich_ seized and destroyed six vessels, chiefly sailing-ships, some in Pacific, most in Atlantic waters. In February she accounted for four more. Towards the end of the month a British barque was sunk by the _Dresden_. The position was again rapidly becoming troublesome. The movement of British shipping, on the Chilian coast had to be suspended. But the _Glasgow_ and the _Kent_ were on the _Dresden's_ track. The _Kent_ entered Coronel on March 13, coaled, and departed the same night. The _Eitel Friedrich_, meanwhile, had arrived at Newport News, a United States port, with her engines badly in need of repair. Much indignation was aroused among Americans by the announcement that one of her victims had been an American vessel. The German liner had many prisoners on board. Declarations of a resolve, if he had been caught by the British, to have sunk fighting to the last, were repeatedly and emphatically declaimed by the German captain. Five days later he learned that the _Dresden_ had tamely surrendered off Juan Fernandez after a five minutes' action. The _Kent_, at nine o'clock on the morning after she had left Coronel, together with the _Glasgow_ and the auxiliary cruiser _Orama_, came up with the _Dresden_ near the island. A sharp encounter followed. The German cruiser was hit heavily. Fire broke out. In five minutes' time she hauled down her colours and hoisted a white flag. The crew were taken off. The _Dresden_ continued to burn for some time, until finally her magazine exploded and she sank. The German officers contended that their vessel was sunk within Chilian territorial waters. It had not hitherto been noticeable that their consciences were concerned to maintain Chilian neutrality inviolate. [Sidenote: Results of the Falkland battle.] The Battle of the Falkland Islands was the first decisive naval contest of the war. It removed a formidable menace to the trade routes. It relieved British convoys and transports from danger of interruption. It freed many battleships and cruisers, engaged in sweeping the oceans, for other usefulness. It gave Great Britain effecti
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