The Australasian (Melbourne) for Sept. 19 prints the following,
describing the conquest of German New Guinea, which, with the Bismarck
Archipelago, off the coast, has an area of 90,000 square
miles--something less than half the size of the German Empire:
The Minister for Defense (Mr. Millen) has received the
following further information by wireless regarding the
operations at Herbertshohe and Rabaul, from Admiral Patey:
The Australian naval reserve captured the wireless station
at Herbertshohe at 1 P.M. on Sept. 12, after eighteen hours'
bush fighting over about six miles. Herbertshohe and Rabaul,
the seat of Government, have been garrisoned and a base has
been established at Simpsonshafen.
Have prisoners: German officers, 2, including commandant;
German non-commissioned officers, 15; and native police, 56.
German casualties about 20 to 30 killed. Simpsonshafen swept
and ready to be entered Sept. 12.
Naval force landed under Commander Beresford of the
Australian Navy met with vigorous opposition. Advanced party
at dawn established landing before enemy aware of intention.
From within a few hundred yards of landing bush fight for
almost four miles. Roads and fronts also mined in places,
and stations intrenched. Officer commanding German forces in
trench 500 yards seaward side of station has surrendered
unconditionally.
Our force have reconnoitred enemy strength holding station.
Have landed 12-pounder guns, and if station does not
surrender intend shelling. Regret to report following
casualties: 4 killed, 3 wounded.
Later a wireless message from Rear-Admiral Sir George Patey informed
the Minister for Defense (Mr. E.D. Millen) on Monday, Sept. 14, that,
as a result of the operations of the Australian Expeditionary Force,
Rabaul, the seat of government in German New Guinea, had been
occupied. The British flag was hoisted over the town at 3:30 on Sunday
afternoon (Sept. 13, 1914) and it was saluted. A proclamation was then
read by Rear-Admiral Patey, formerly setting out the occupation.
Apia (Samoa) had been occupied by British forces on Aug. 29. The
Caroline Islands, first occupied by Japan, were turned over to New
Zealand. The Marshall and Solomon Islands were likewise occupied on
Dec. 9, thus completing the tale of Germany's colonial possessions in
the Pacific.
There remain large areas in Kamerun and East Africa, but in both cases
the coast line is in the possession of the Entente powers.