GERMAN NEW GUINEA OCCUPIED

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2254, 14 September 1914, Page 5

GERMAN NEW GUINEA OCCUPIED

FIGHTING AT WIRELESS STATION ADMIRAL REPORTS LOSS OF FOUR MEN (Reo. September 13, 5.20 p.m.) Melbourne, September 18. Senator Millen, Minister of Defence, lias issued the following • telegram received from Admiral Patoy, of tho flagship Australia, dated September 12, and describing the taking of German Now Guinea: — "Herbertshoho was occupied and tho British flag hoisted at 7.30 on the morning of September 1L There was no opposition. Simpsonliafen was swept ready to bo entered. "On September 12 a naval force was landed under Commander Beresfordl,, to destroy the wireless station, 'and met with vigorous opposition. The advanco party at dawn established a landing before the enemy was aware o£ its intentions. Within a few hundred yards of the landing there was bush, and fighting was continued for almost lour miles. The roads and forests were • mined in places. Tlio wireless station was entrenched. "Tho German commander, who was entrenched on the seaward side of the wireless station, surrendered unconditionally. The forces have now reconnoitred tho strength of tho enemy at the wireless station. Twolve-pounder guns have been landed, and unless the enemy surrenders, I shall shell the place to-morrow. "The following are the casualties:—Two officers and two seamen killed, one officer and, two seamen wounded. The German casualties are unknown. Two officers, five non-commissioned, and thirty native police were taken prisoners."' WIRELESS STATION TAKEN. (Reo. September 14, 2.20 a.m.) .... Sydney, September 13. benator Millen has received an additional wireless message which 6ays the Australian Naval_ Reserve captured the wireless station at Herbertshoiie on Saturday after eighteen hours' bush fighting over six miles of country. Herbertshoho and Rati mil, the seat of tho Government, have been garrisoned and a base established at Simpsonhafen. The prisoners taken .were two German officers, including the Commandant, fifteen non-commissioned officers, and fifty-six native police. Tho Gorman casualties were between 20 and 30 killed. Two Naval Reserve seamen were killed and one wounded, in addition to the previous list of casualties. German New Guinea, or Kaiser Wilhelm's Land, is the northern section of South-East New Guinea, and was declared a German protectorate in 1884.' Including Long Island, Dampier Island, and some other small islands, it has an estimated area of 70,000 square miles, and a population of 531,000 natives; the white population in 1913 totalled 283, of whom 264 were Germans. The development of the protectorate has been entrusted to the German New Guinea Company, but tho administration was transferred to the Imperial Government on April 1, 1899. The cultivated area is about 20,520 liectars, chiefly under cocoanut palms and caoutchouc. The chief harbours are: Friedrich AVilhelaishafeii, _ Herbertsholia, Simpsonliafeu, Nusa, Matupi, Kawicng, Namiatauai, and Kieta. Tho seat of Government is Raboul.