AT COCOS ISLAND.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 241, 14 November 1914, Page 9

AT COCOS ISLAND.

WHEN THE EMDEN ARRIVED. THE CKUISEKS IN CONFLICT. LONDON, November 13. The "Daily Chronicle's" Co< ; o.? Island correspondent says the telegraph sraff -were advised from Singapore that a German cruiser bad teen disjialched to the islands, and the beach was regularly patrolled. A four-funnelled cruiser, coming at full speed, arrived off the entrance to the lagoon at six on Monday morning. Her flag was hot flying, and she had a fourth funnel of painted canvas. A low red armoured launch put off with two boats carrying three officei's and forty men, &nd four maxims. The operators continued to send messages until the Germans rushed into the cable station and placed the operators under an armed guard. While they smashed the instruments, there was no brutality or pillaging. * Meanwhile the crew of the launch grappled with the

cables and endeavoured to cut them, but failed.

At nine o 'clock the Eniden sounded her. siren, and the landing party dashed to' the : boats j but the 1 Emden got under way immediately, as the Sydney was on the horizon.

After firing a shot at the Sydney at 3700 yards, the . Eniden steamed north. For a time the Eimien's firing ,was -excellent, and that of the Sydney erratic, owing to the range-finder being put out of action bv one of the only two 'German shots which got home. The British gunners soon overcame the difficulty and shot away twd of tie Emden's funnels. Thus blazing away, both cruisers disappeared, the; Emden being oh fire aft. ' ,' MELBOURNE, November 13. Senator Fearee, of Defence; ; is endeavouring: to obtain the Enxdett's guns and anchor for the Federal Capital. .: ~.. ,