AN ISLAND MURDER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 72, 24 March 1906, Page 5

AN ISLAND MURDER.

GERMAN TRADER HACKED 10 PIECES. A DESPATCHED TO THE SCENE. NATIVE VHiLAGES BURNT. THE CONDOR ARRIVES AT SYDNEY. SYDNEY, Tuesday. The German warship Condor, which reached her moorings in Farm Cove yesterday after another extended cruise in the islands, brings news of the ghastly murder of a German trader at the treacherous hands of the man-eating natives of the Admiralty Group of islands. The victim, Herr Schlehahn, who was held in high «steem, trusted his native servants, and paid the penalty. Efe had for many years resided on St. Gabriel Island, one of the many islands embraced in the Admiralty Group, and had established a lucrative plantation business.

It appears from what could be gathered on board the Condor that some weeks ago word was received at Herbertshohe, in New Britain, the capital of the Bismarck Archipelago, to the effect that an outrage had been perpetrated on St. Gabriel,, and the warship was immediately despatched to the scene to investigate the matter and punish the murderers. At the sight of the Condor approaching their shores, however, the natives fled in a body, and before the warship had come to an anchorage the whole of the native tribes implicated were several miles distent, concealed in the dense woods and jungle of the interior. Every possible inquiry was made as to the cause of the uprising, but only meagre details of the crime could be gleaned. Herr Schlehahn, it seems, received no warning of the intention of the natives. Suddenly he was approached from behind by one of the savages, who dealt him a severe blow on the head with a club. The unfortunate trader fell senseless to the ground, and the body was then terribly mutilated with native tomahawks. What eventually became of the remains is not at all clear, but from the fact that the inhabitants of the whole of the Admiralty Group are cannibals it is presumed that the body was devoured at one of the savages' feasts. Acting under instructions from the officers of the Condor, a party of marines set fire to the native village, and the flames quickly extended in all directions, until the district for miles around was completely devastated. Owing to the faot that the natives had fled, it was not deemed advisable to bombard the island, and as far as can be ascertained no lives were taken. It is, however, believed that the punishment meted out by the firing of their village will prevent a repetition of the crime of murder for some time, at ! any rate. CRUISE OF THE CONDOR The Condor visited Sydney last year, and sailed on May 12 for Apia, Samoa, where she remained until August. A fortnight's stay was then made at Honolulu, and the warship returned to Apia, remaining there until the end of October. A brief visit was next paid to Suva, Fiji, and from there the Condor proceeded on a cruise among the islands of the Marshall Group, occupying three weeks. Most of the time was spent in port at Jaluit, and in the beginning of December she sailed for the Caroline Group. Ponape was the first port called at, and on January 10 Yap was reached. A brief cruise" was made to the Palau Islands, and a return was then made to Yap. Eventually the Condor proceeded to Herbertshohe, in New Britain, and from there left on a visit to the Admiralty and Hermit groups of islands, subsequently returning to Herbertshohe. A trip was next made to the Louisiade Archipelago, and a day was spent in Pitt Bay. From there the Condor came on to Australia, calling at Gladstone and Brisbane on her way to Sydney. She entered the Heads at 10.30 pjn. on Saturday, and anchored in Watson's Bay for the night. At 6.30 yesterday morning she proceeded up the harbour to mooring provided for her at the head of Farm Cove, and saluted the port with 21 guns TWO HUNDRED NATIVES RESCUED. The officers of the Condor relate pitiful tales in connection with the disastrous hurricanes which last year passed over the Marshall and Caroline groups. At the island of Pingelap, in the Carolines, they found upwards of 200 natives f.ying of starvation. These unfortunate people, by order of the commander, were assisted on board the warship, and were taken to Ponape, the capital, where large supplies of provisions have been received. The plantation throughout the groups have been ruined, and many years must elapse before prosperity i 3 again experienced. Building operations are proceeding as rapidly as possible, but only a small proportion of the houses blown down have been re-erected. The fine residence of the Governor of the Caroline Group, which stood on an eminence at Ponape, was completely removed by the violence of the wind, and portions of the dwelling were found in the forests, a considerable distance from the capital. TO BE DOCKED AND REPAIRED. The Condor will remain in Sydney until the middle of May, and in the meantime will be floated into Mort's Dock for repairs and for cleaning and painting. In accordance with the usual custom of two years' service in the Pacific, half of the officers and crew will return to Germany from Sydney. Several officers, including a chief officer, three lieutenants, and a paymaster, as well as 80 men, will arrive at Sydney by the German mail steamer Seharnhorst on April 16 to relieve those proceeding home.

Captain Begas is ir command, and associated with him ar"> the following officers: —First Lieutenant Freiherr, F. yon Bulow, Lieutenants L. Fischer, F. Albrecht, and W. Schirmache, SnbLieutenants H. Gerlach and F. Muller, Surgeon Mediger, Paymaster Michaelis, and Chief Engineer Rosehamann. The ship's company numbers upwards of 170 all told.