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[Page 108]
6.
Sepik River expedition. - Commander (D)'s report on
The fruits of this expedition, outside the value of the running survey made of the river will be considerable. We found mistrust amongst the natives very pronounced as far as Angorum, owing no doubt, to lies propagated by the German Officials. But this mistrust has been entirely washed out, the natives being most eager to barter vegetables, curios etc. They have seen large numbers of Britishers about their villages, and have been treated well. In the higher reaches the German influence did not penetrate. It is wild cannibal country and they are unable to discriminate between different white peoples on sight. Though shy and suspicious and undoubtedly treacherous we found little difficulty in making friends with these primitive people. The health of the ship's companies has been wonderfully good, whereas practically the whole of the Angorum garrison of 25 men, have had fever, not a single case has developed on board the ships.
I would recommend that the post at Angorum consist of a corporal and one soldier assistant and a Army Medical Corps man with 30 or 40 native boys.
(Signed) Claude Cumberlege
Commander (D)
"Warrego"
Decr. 28th 1914.
Administrator,
Rabaul.
Forwarded for your information. Copies of this report have been forwarded top Naval Secretary.