On 14 December, Eugen Millington-Drake's immediate aim was to have Graf Spee expelled from Montevideo as quickly as possible. He asked whether Uruguay possessed the force to carry out such a decision. His reasoning assumed that the Royal Navy force outside had already inflicted a heavy beating on the German cruiser and was strong enough to finish the job. Expulsion would, in his view, send Graf Spee straight into that force's waiting arms.
Chapter · 4:13-4:58
Britain first presses Uruguay to expel Graf Spee
Eugen Millington-Drake sought Graf Spee's expulsion because he assumed the Royal Navy could finish the battle outside Montevideo harbor.