SAMOAN PRISONERS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2258, 18 September 1914, Page 6

SAMOAN PRISONERS

GERMAN EX-GOVERNOR AT ' AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) . Auckland, September 17. Dr. Schultz, ex-Governor of what was until recently German Samoa, with his secretary, Herr Mars, a wireless expert, Herr Hirsch, and a merchant, Herr Hansen, arrived by tho Navua- this morning, under escort of Major Francis and Lieutenant Maxwell, as prisoners of war. ' Hanson is a Hong-Kong ■ trader, and was visiting Samoa. He was arrested as a possible German spy. Dr. Schultz is naturally keenly disappointed at the fate of the erstwhile German possession, but on the voyage ho was cheerful, and entered into the social life of the ship. Practically no restriction was placed on any members of tho German party, of which treatment Dr. Schultz expresses keen appreciation. He is, however, distressed to learn that his future residence is on the lonely.quarantine island of Motuibi. He was under the impression that parole would have been offered him. The authorities are doing everything possible to make his quarters on the island thoroughly comfortable and remove the irksomencss of his stay there. ...

According to a statement made by Dr. Schultz the-taking of Samoa, far from being a surprise capture, had been expected for days when the troops actually arrived. In the course of an interview Dr. Schultz smilingly pointed out that the task of the Expeditionary Force was not hazardous one. Ho had been told that 'in New Zealand reports had gained credence that there were a thousand white peoplo in.Sa.moa. As a matter of fact, the total white population—men, women and children, including German, English, French, and Danish settlers—was not more than 500, while there are some 30,000 natives. Asked whether the visit of the Expeditionary Force was expected, Dr. Schultz replied in the affirmative, and volunteered the information that the authorities in Samoa were apprised of tho coming of tho New Zealanders by the simplo means of tapping wireless messages, Samoa possessed a powerfid wireless station, and they were thus able to intercept messages from tho troopships.' Wo realised from the very outset," continued: Dr. Schultz, "that surrender was inevitable, because of the primitive defences of the place. Our forces consisted of-20 soldiers and special constables, and our fortifications of one gun. This was religiously fired every Saturday afternoon,' and took half an hour to load. Our only other defensive weapons wero 50 rifles of an 1871 pattern."