HOW THE GERMANS SEIZED KIAOCHAU.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6065, 31 December 1897, Page 2

HOW THE GERMANS SEIZED KIAOCHAU.

A recent mail brings news of how toe "Germans seized; the Chinese port of Kiaochau. The decisive action is due to Baron von Hey King, German Minister at Pekin, and was only taken after the Admirals of Great Britain, Russia, and France, on the China Station, had received notice of the intention. What happened was this :— On Sunday morning, the three German warships, the Kaiser (flagship), with the Admiral on board, and the cruisers Prinzess Wilhelni and Arcona, entered the bay, and the Admiral sent word ashore to the commandant of the garrison, who held three forts, one ou the south point, one in the middle, and one on the northern peninsula, that he had come to obtain satisfaction for the murder of two German missionaries belonging to Bishop Auser's Roman. Catholic Mission, and that he intended landing a strong party of men and occupying the forts. The Chinese General in command sent an evasive reply, referring the German to Pekin, saying that her had nothing to do with the murdering o" missionaries. To this the German Admiral replied peremptorily, demanding an evacuation of the forts "within thi*ee hours, by which time he would commence landing his men, and the three ships began at once to send down their yards, run out their guns, and get ready for action. At this the rabble soldiery, who were found to consist of the usual coolie •warriors, were scared out of their wits. In an hour's time those aboard the warship could plainly see that the garrisons were- on the move, having discovered urgent business elsewhere, and hundreds of braves were seen hurrying over the low hills bearing their beds, bundles, bird-cages, and the" usual pomp and paraphernalia of Chinese war well out of harm's way. The Chinese General had in the meantime sent word that he would retire gracefully in presence of superior force, and begged to place his life and those of his wives and numerous family under the noble German Admiral's honoured protection. Then about twenty boats with six hundred men and six guns landed without the slightest opposition.