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[Page 71]
16TH OCTOBER 1914:
The Wireless Telegraph Officer has informed me today that owing to atmospheric disturbances he has so far been unable to get the full text of my message, quoted on page 4 of this dispatch, through to you.
On the same page also, I mentioned that I was sending Captain Moeller to Sydney as a Prisoner by the "Komet", but at his request I have determined to delay his departure until the "Moresby", which arived here this morning, sails, in order to afford him an opportunity to settle up his private affairs.
Those who will sail by the "Moresby" are :-
On Parole - Herr E. Haber, late Governor.
Passenger - Lieut. General E.A. Wylde, Royal Marines.
do - Mrs. Wylde, wife of above.
Official - Gesemann, Government Clerk.
do - Mintz do
Undesirable - Treppe, Clerk, New uinea Coy.
do - Ullrich, Telefunken Engineer.
Prisoners of War - Carsten, 2nd Officer, "Komet".
- Bohm, Chief Engineer do
- Mahler, 2nd. do
- Thode, 3rd. do do
- Brandt, 1st class P.O. "Planet"
- Zaumseil, A.B. do
- Maschnitz, A.B. do
- Lutter, A.B. do
Passenger - Mrs. Mirow, wife of a planter at Herbertshohe,
proceeding to Australia for surgical operation.
Yesterday I received information that a Motor Yacht had on the previous day called at Vuna Paka, on the North Coast of New Britain, and had landed a large quantity of rice for a German Planter.
As no duty had been paid on these goods, I sent out and seized the cargo and ordered it into the Government Store. I also ascertained that it formed portion of a larger cargo of rice brought by the Manager of the New Guinea Company from Java, and the Steamer which had brought it was at Kaiweng in New Ireland, which was apparently being used as a distributing centre.
I have today sent the H.M.A.S, "Nusa" to Kaiweng to seize this Ship, and at the same time release Mr. Jolly, the British Consul, who has been interned there since the outbreak of the War.
This morning I received the following message for the Navy Board : -
"It is understood that terms of surrender German Governor, Simpsonhafen, includes German Possessions Pelew, Mariana, Caroline and Marshall Islands. Please confirm."
I replied :-
"Yes, surrender covers al German Possessions western Pacific, known as German New Guinea, including Islands you specify"
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
[William Holmes]