TAKING NEW GUINEA

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 70, 19 September 1914, Page 7

TAKING NEW GUINEA

SEAT OF GOVERNMENT TWICE CAPTURED GOVERNOR'S TREACHERY . \ (Received September 19, 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The censors having removed the prohibition of publication of the movements of the Australian floet in the New Guinea area prior to the recent capture, the Sydney Morning Herald states that it transpires that the town of Rabaul was twice captiired. 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 German cruisers. After sweeping the approaches to Simpsonhafen harbour for mines, the harbour' was entered early in the morning. The warships were prepared to attack the enemy's ships, but none were there. As the chief object of the Australians was to capture- the German warsliips and the destruction of the wireless stations, they could not thort afford to land a force to hold the town. The Governor informed Rear- Admiral Sir George Patey that there were no wireless stations, fortifications, or men. The Australian ships then left. returning they found the Germans at Rabaul in the meantime had been busy. Trenches had been dug, roads mined, and wireless apparatus erected. Other preparations Were also made, which necessitated the second attack and consequent loss of life. * The Herald adds: " It is stated on good authority that when the first visit was made a number of German soldiers were concealed on German merchantmen then in harbour, and it is surmised that after the departure of the Australian warships these prepared for resisting the landing of the Expeditionary . Force. The Herald also states that Rear-Admiral Patey received assurances from the Governor of German New Guinea that .there would be no resistance offered to the Expeditionary Force.