Australia.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 28, 19 September 1914, Page 5

Australia.

IN NEW GUINEA.

ON LAND AND SEA.

DETAILS OF OPERATIONS OF THE AUSTRALIAN FORCE.

GERMAN TREACHERY.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] (Received 11.5 a.m.) Sydney, September 19.

The censors have removed the prohibition against publication of the movements of Australian fleet i ll Uie New Guinea area prior to the recent capture. The “Herald” states that it transpires that the town of Rabau; was twice captured. The town offered no resistance when the Australian warships visited it early in August, and the German flag was hauled down by the residents. The first visit was made while the warships were searching for the whereabouts of the Germans’ cruiser. After sweeping the approaches to the Simpsonhafen harbour for mines the ships entered earh in the morning prepared to attack the enemy’s ships, but there were none there. As the chief object of the Australians was the capture of the German warships and the destruction of wireless stations they could not then afford to land a force to hold the town. The Governor informed the party that there were no wireless stations, fortifications, or men. The Australian ships then left and found that the Germans at Rabaul had in the meantime been busy, trenches having been dug, roads mined, a wireless station erected and other preparations made which neces- itated a second attack and consequent loss of life. The “Herald” adds: “P is stated on good authority that when the first visit was made a number of German soldiers were concealed on a German merchantmen then in tin. harbour, and it is surmised that afte; the departure of the Australians these prepared for resisting the landing of the expeditionary force.” The paper also states that Admiral Patey received assurances from the Governor of German New Guinea that there would he no resistance to the expeditionary force.