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[Page 30]
[Newspaper cutting]
Daily Telegraph 7.9.14.
THE CAPTURE OF SAMOA.
LANDING UNOPPOSED.
FORCE TO REMAIN AS GARRISON
(From the "New Zealand Herald")
WELLINGTON. August 11.--The successful occupation of Samoa has, to some degree, removed the necessity for secrecy regarding the movements of the first section of the New Zealand force. The troopships carrying the force left Wellington Harbour on the morning of August 14, and an account of the subsequent movements of the force was given by the Minister for Defence.
Leaving Wellington in the early hours of August 14, the two transports immediately proceeded north to a rendezvous near Auckland, where they were joined by an escort of warships. The flotilla proceeded direct to Noumea, the capital of the French colony of New Caledonia. The expedition proceeded from Noumea to Suva, and finally to Apia.
According to advice received by the Governor, Apia was surrendered at 10 a.m. on August 29 (western time). As time in Samoa is later than New Zealand time, the surrender occurred, according to New Zealand time, at 10.30 a.m. on Sunday.
Mr. Allen (Minister for Defence) remarked that the ultimate disposition of the Islands was a matter for decisions by the Imperial authorities, but New Zealand might have something to say about it. "We have simply done our duty as part of the Empire in carrying out the task allotted to us," he added, "and now our duty is to hold Samoa for the Imperial Government. It is impossible to say how long the New Zealand force will be required to stay there."
STRONG GARRISON FORCE NECESSARY. "It must be very satisfactory to the whole of the people of New Zealand," said the Prime Minister, "that we have been able to take possession of the island with so very little trouble. Apart altogether from the area, which is approximately 1000 square miles, and the fertility of the islands, Samoa is of very great strategical importance to both New Zealand and Australia. We have to hold Samoa," Mr. Massey added. "A strong force will be required to garrison the island for some considerable time to come. A further reason for gratification is that not only was the New Zealand force the first contingent of British troops to proceed overseas to its allotted task, but it is also the first to secure German territory for the Imperial Crown."
CONGRATULATIONS FROM COMMONWEALTH.
The following message was received by the Governor of New Zealand from the Governor-General of Australia:-- "I desire, on behalf of myself and my Government, to congratulate your Excellency and your Government on the achievement of the New Zealand troops in so quickly and successfully occupying Samoa."
The following reply was despatched by the Earl of Liverpool:-- "On behalf of myself and my Government, I desire to thank your Excellency and your Government for your most cordial messages of hearty congratulations."
THE ADVANCE GUARD
The advance guard of the New Zealand expeditionary force left Wellington on August 15. The contribution from the Auckland district was about 300 men, most of whom left here on August 13 for Wellington, under Major W. Kay. Colonel Logan, lately officer in charge of the Auckland military district, was in command of the force.
The troops embarked on August 17, and they at once passed under the control of the Imperial authorities. The men awaited the orders for their departure until the afternoon of Friday, August 14, when a message was received by the Governor conveying instructions for the immediate sailing of the transports. The departure from Wellington was made early the next morning.
THE UNPOPULAR GERMAN
The occupation of Samoa by English-speaking troops is likely to cause the greatest rejoicing among the natives, according to a half-cast Samoan lady now resident in Auckland. German rule is hated in the group, she said. The Samoans were a poetic race, and, therefore, songs of welcome would greet the new Zealanders. The relatives of the troops need have no apprehension, for their stay in the island, the beauty of which was made famous in prose and verse by Robert Louis Stevenson, would, she considered, be but one long holiday. The Samoans were a free and independent people of the true Polynisian type - a truly lovable race. The natives favorably compared the easy tolerance of the English-speaking people in the neighboring island of Tutulla(?) with the harshness of German rule.
The manner in which the trade of the islands was kept as a close monopoly for Germans was also instanced. If an English or American baker, chemist or grocer commenced business in Apia, a German trader in the same line appeared immediately next door to him, and thus crushed out the other. German planters had magnificent plantations of coconut and rubber trees. The islands were famed for their fertility, and were considered the most productive in the Pacific ocean. The natives did not need to work, for bountiful Nature had supplied food in abundance all year round, the principal items of diet being breadfruit, taro, yams, bananas, and fish.
SITUATION IN JAVA
Java is already feeling the effects of the war as far as the shipping trade is concerned. Captain [Xrord?], of the Dutch mail User [Hoodman?], stated that only two [Meers?] of the Royal Packet H. N. Company, operating between Batavia and Holland, were in commission, and these steamers only carried passengers. The cargo business was at a standstill. The military authorities in Java were mobilising the troops at various points in the islands, and all the native chiefs had expressed their loyalty to the Dutch Government. The Dutch had six cruisers and battleships, 11 torpedo boat destroyers, and 14 torpedo boats in Java waters. This fleet was ready for any eventualities. There were enough provisions in Java to last a year, while the cultivation of rice and beet sugar was carried out on an extensive scale.