Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 7]
BRITISH ADMINISTRATION - GERMAN NEW GUINEA:
Government House,
Rabaul,
New Britain,
19th September, 1914.
The Chief of the General Staff,
MELBOURNE:
Sir;
In my letter to you dated 14th September, I mentioned that I had instructed Colonel Watson to march with 4 Companies of Infantry and 2 Machine Gun Sections towards Toma, with instructions to effect the arrest of the Governor. Watson's advance from Herbertshohe was preceded by the shelling of the ridge with the guns of the "Encounter". This shelling evidently had a very good effect, as before Watson reached Toma he was met by a flag of truce from the Governor, who offered to come in and confer with me, and requested in the meantime an armistice of 4 hours. This concession was at first refused by Watson, but afterwards arrangements were made by him for the Governor to meet me at Herbertshohe on the following morning at 11 o'clock.
At 9-30 a.m. on the 15th instant I proceeded to Herbertshohe from here, being accompanied by Major Heritage, Commander Stevenson, R.N., and the other members of my staff. The interview with the Governor - whose name is Dr. Haber - continued until about 3-0 p.m., when certain conditions of surrender were tentatively agreed to, the Governor stating that he preferred to consult his Military Officers before actually executing any agreement. I, therefore, gave him typewritten copy of the conditions we had verbally agreed to, and arranged to meet him again at the same place at 12 Noon on Thursday, 17th instant.
It is interesting to note that while I was parleying with the Governor as to terms of surrender, the French Warship "Montcalm" with the French Admiral on board, passed in full view from our meeting place at Herbertshohe, and I had great pleasure in drawing the Governor's attention to her presence, at which he seemed rather disturbed. I may state that the Governor was received at Herbertshohe by a guard of honour of 100, which remained in attendance throughout the interview and saluted him on his departure.
In accordance with the arrangements above referred to, I again met the Governor at Herbertshohe on the 17th instant, when terms of capitulation were discussed and in a few minor points amended. They were then signed by the Governor and myself, the former's signature being witnessed by the German Military Commandant (Von Klewitz) and mine by Commander Stevenson, R.N.
(1)