Item 11: General William Holmes papers, September 1914-January 1915 - Page 146
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[Page 146]
W 175.2.13
Commonwealth of Australia
Attorney General's Department.
Minute Paper
The Secretary,
Department of Defence.
The Secretary, Department of Defence, forwards the following case for opinion :-
"All German possessions, which were administered from Rabaul, are included in terms of surrender by German Governor of Rabaul, vide following telegram received from the Administrator, Rabaul on the 17th instant :-"
'Your 0315 Yes, surrender covers all German possessions Western Pacific officially known as German New Guinea includes Islands you specify.'
"The Marshall, Caroline. Pelew and Mariana Islands are thus included."
"These Islands have not been occupied by our forces, but have been effectively patrolled by Japanese Men of War."
"In these conditions would it be trading with the enemy for our Merchant Vessels to trade with the Islands?"
"The ordinary supplies to the Islands have been cut off and foodstuffs are urgently required."
The attached opinion on the question has been given by Professor Harrison Moore, and is concurred in by this Department.
(Sgd) R.R. Garran
Secretary.
4/11/1914.