Item 11: General William Holmes papers, September 1914-January 1915 - Page 149
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 149]
W175/2/13
Department of Defence
Navy Office, Melbourne
22nd October 1914.
Secretary,
Department of Defence.
It is desired that the Attorney General's Department be requested to furnish an opinion on the following subject :-
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.
(Sgd) W.R. Scotland
for Naval Secretary
The Secretary,
Attorney General's Department
For favor of advice
(Sd) S.A. Pethebridge
Sec. Dept. of Defence
22:10:1914