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No. 7. Admiralty to Colonial Office. (Received 31st August, 1914.) Sir, — Admiralty, 30th August, 1914. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for your information, copy of telegram of this date received from the Rear-Admiral Commanding Australian Squadron, respecting the occupation of Apia, &c. 1 am, &C, W. Graham Greene. Enclosure in No. 7. Telegram from Rear-Admiral Commanding Australian Squadron, Suva, to Admiralty. Took possession of Apia (Samoa Islands) to-day, 30th August (Eastern time). In reply to my summons to surrender, Acting-Governor, in absence of Governor, stated that he submitted to the occupation of the island. I carried out extensive sweeping operations before entering harbour, but found no mines. No resistance was offered. There have been no enemy ships in harbour for some time. Landing of troops was commenced during this afternoon. British flag hoisted. Officer Commanding Troops took over control from Lieutenant-Governor at 2 p.m. to-day. Will leave with " Australia," " Melbourne," and " Montcalm " for Suva as soon as disembarkation is complete, probably to-morrow.
No. 8. The Governor of New Zealand to the Secretary of State. (Received 6.0 p.m., 30th August, 1914.) Telegram. 30th August. I have received the following telegram from Admiral " Australia ": " Apia surrendered at 10.0 a.m., 30th August, Eastern time. Military expedition landed in afternoon without opposition," —Liverpool.
No. 9. The Secretary of State to the Governor of New Zealand. (Sent 2.10 p.m., 31st August, 1914 ) Telegram. Your telegram 30th August [No 8] : Please convey to your Ministers heartiest congratulations of His Majesty's Government on successful occupation of Samoa by Expeditionary Force.—Harcourt.
No 10. The Governor of New Zealand to the Secretary of State. (Received 3 18 p.m., 2nd September, 1914.) (Extract.) Telegram. Officer Commanding the Troops, Samoa, has sent me the following message : " Expedition under my command, with the assistance of the allied fleet, occupied Town of Apia 31st August (Eastern time). Governor of Samoa, who surrendered to me, is being sent with prisoners to Fiji. lam glad to report that there was no opposition, that the health of the troops is excellent, and that there have been no serious casualties since the expedition started.—Logan."—Liverpool.
No. 11. The Governor of Fiji to the Secretary of State. (Received 21st October, 1914.) (Extract.) Government House, Suva, 30th August, 1914. The Expeditionary Force from New Zealand, conveyed in two transports and escorted by H.M.S.S. " Australia," " Melbourne," " Psyche," " Philomel," and " Pyramus," and the French ship " Montcalm," arrived at Suva on the 26th instant and left at 8.30 the following morning. Rear-Admiral Sir George E. Patey, H.M.S. " Australia," accompanied by Captain Marshall, Senior Naval Officer, New Zealand, Colonel Logan, Officer in Charge of the Expeditionary Force, and Captain Radcliffe, H.M.S. " Australia," had an interview with me at Government House on the 26th instant, when I communicated to Sir George E. Patey, Captain Marshall, and Colonel Logan telegrams relating to the expedition which I had received from the Governor of New Zealand, and placed before them all the information which I thought might be useful. Sir G. E. Patey and Colonel Logan were good enough to allow a contingent of ten men from Fiji to accompany the expedition, and, from their knowledge of Natives, if for no other reason, the members of the contingent should be able to render useful service. I arranged also that a certain number of Samoans of some standing in Fiji, and of influence in their native country, should be placed at Colonel Logan's disposal. These men will be able to act as interpreters and guides, and will be valuable in making known to the Natives of Samoa the advantages that they will enjoy by becoming subjects of His Majesty the King.