GERMAN ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2266, 28 September 1914, Page 6

GERMAN ISLANDS.

HOW THEY WERE DEFENDED. From the preparations 'theyvmade for the defence of Simpsonshafen in New Britain it is evident that they had no idea, for the present.at any rate, of erecting prominent fortifications,'-but rather looked upon Simpsonshafen as a suitable- temporary ' base where colliers and transports, inight rendezvous, and, by temporarily fortifying the. ' place, render it safe from any but 1 organised siege. For such temporary 'defence elaborate fortifications: were riofj necessary, hui such work./as would; take lengthy periods.;to':complete was carried out. For. instance, a •substantial, jetty was erected,, centrally situated Jto the town, and extending,far enough into the harbour as to provide sufficient depth and 6pace for a couple of warships to lie on either side of it; Substantial sheds were and the whole building, 'eased to the Norddeutscher'Lloyd Company, for whom, it was given out, it had been erected to provide berthage for their monthly steamers running from Hong-Kong to Australia. A wide and well-graded road was run .from-tho' jetty through the township, thence winding upwards to the top of the hills which encircled and protected the township. The reason for the expen T dituro upon this road was that it was required to enable the business population of the township to have their private, residences on the surrounding heights, where the healthy 6ea breezes would render life more bearable than in the stifling steamy atmosphere of the township. ■

Fortified In Twenty-Four Hours. It was evident, however, to an observer that, ;ih the event of the port being converted into a temporary naval base,'these permanent works were only part of such a scheme of defence which would take' time to complete, arid, when once completed, it would be possible to fortify the whole harbour in 24 hours or thereabouts. A transport with heavy guns and traction engines could berth alongside tho jetty and dischnrgo her freignt, and the road would enable the guns to he easily and expeditiously transferred-to the heights. The laying of floating mines across the narrow but deep entrance would' complete the defence and provide as excellent a temporary naval base as.any fleet and its accompanying transports and colliors could desire. Without the heavy guns on the hills it would be possible for modern warships to stand well out to sea ■ and shellthetownship and harbour, but with guns of equal range on tho heights it would ho quite a different proposition.

Commercial Progress. The general development of the township, apart from the preparations mentioned, proceeded purely upon commercial lines. The township,has been laid out in draught-board fashion. .Excellent wide roads with avenues of trees down the centre form a fine setting to the substantia! buildings erected by merchants and others. The New Guinea Company, evidently in anticipation of future events, erected a hu«'e -building, which, at one end of the harbour, looks like a railway terminus with its large domed roof. Such a building is. certainly not justified by any commercial prospects, but it has often struck visitors that m war time. m a Ntoro nr bpirnofeK, or bota, it would k bo simply, iwalu&blo. . .