Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/258/1 - 1914 - 1927 - Part 5

Re the Photographs - Keep these

as long as they are of any use to
you
With kind regards

Yours sincerely
[[M?]]

To

C.E.W. Bean Esquire
Commonwealth Historian

Victoria Barracks

SYDNEY 

NOTES ON VOL. X.

Col. Cavert [[?]] F. Ms buildgs formerly 3de [?]

PAGE 26. NOTE 3. - For "Col. F.B.Heritage, M.V.O." read
Col. Commdt. F.B.Heritage, C.B.E., M.V.O."
PAGE 28 - 2ND PARA. -"The men were enrolled ......at Victoria
Barracks" - This is not correct. All were enrolled and
medically examined at the Agricultural Show Grounds.
PAGE 29 - 2ND PARA. - Commander Stevenson was not on the Brigade
Staff - He commanded the 'Berrima."
PAGE 24 34- 1ST PARA.- Col.Holmes at Port Moresby decided to
take the Kanowna Troops as far as Rabaul and then not to employ
them for active service but as garrison troops relieving the
remainder of the Expedition for service elsewhere. This is
corroborated by Holmes' reply at end of page 34 and beginning
of page 35.

[[*Bismarks
Biographer*]]
PAGE 35 - 3RD PARA. -"Some of them proved their mettle later in
the A.I.F." - a notable instance Captain Quinn of Quinn's Post.
PAGE 37 - LAST PARA.-"the men had no issue of light uniforms."
- This is not quite accurate, the Naval Brigade had canvas
and the Infantry had helmets and cotton khaki working dress.
PAGE 67.- re the mine - I have a sketch of this if it is
required, (intld.F.B.H.)
PAGE 79.- 2ND PARA, & END OF PARA. - (as well as the native
police force and a large number of friendly natives.) - Delete
portion underlined. The only natives who marched past were the
native police.
PAGE 89.- Signatures to Terms of Capitulation. - Witness to
[*For 'W. Holmes' insert William Holmes*]

signature of W. Holmes. Underneath signature of witness J.B.
Stevenson, insert "Francis Heritage." (See photographic copy
of this document stamped "D.D. Munitions Supply Board Drawing
Office. - printed by K.C. date 3/4/24.)
PAGE 90.- The surrender of German Troops "exchanged salutes
with the British Guard of Honour" - Delete "Guard of Honour"
and insert "Troops" after "British." There was no mention
of a Guard of Honour, see addendum to Terms of Capitulation,
signed by Von Klewitz, and the Brigade Major.
PAGE 102.- Re the return of Haber to Germany "and an opportunity

2

would probably not occur until the termination of the war."
There is no question that this was not clearly understood
by the Governor, both as regards himself and his officials
he discussed this matter with me on at least two occasions
and did not expect they would be repatriated till the end
of the war. What he was keenly concerned about was his
officials being given means of subsistence till then (intld F.B.H)
PAGE 125. - para 2. - re occupation Admiralty Group "without
opposition" - The Germans and native troops were observed
through glasses to be armed and retreating in military formation
with the interior. The "Siar" fired a belt from a maxim over
their heads at long range and the Germans then capitulated.
I think this of interest as it was the last hostile firing
during the campaign (intld. F.B.H.)
PAGE 144.- LINE 13. -"(like all Polynesians) query Nauruans
being Polynesians?
PAGE 147.- Add at end of 1st para, after "under Captain
Donaldson." "Major Heritage was commissioned to administer
the Government at Rabaul as Deputy Administrator during
Holmes' absence."

TERMS OF CAPITULATION OF GERMAN NEW GUINEA:

Made this Seventeenth day of September 1914,

between Colonel William Holmes, D.S.O., V.D., Brigadier

Commanding the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary

Force, on behalf of His Most Gracious Majesty King George the

Fifth of the first part, and Herr. E. Haber, Acting Governer

of the German Possessions known as Deutsch Neu Guinea, on

behalf of the Imperial German Government of the second part.

WHEREAS the principal centres of Deutsch Neu Guinea have

been occupied by an overwhelming force under the command of 

the said Colonel Holmes;

And whereas the said Acting Governor has no authority

to surrender any portion of the German Possessions under his

administration, but in view of the said occupation by the said

overwhelming force, the said Acting Governor is prepared to 

give an assurance that all military resistance to such occupation

in Deutsch Neu Guinea shall cease forthwith.

NOW, the following terms and conditions are solemnly

agreed upon between the said contracting parties;-

(1) The name Deutsch Neu Guinea (German New Guinea) includes

the whole of the German Possessions in the Pacific Ocean

lately administered from Rabaul by the said Acting

Governor on behalf of the German Imperial Government, and

the said possessions are hereafter referred to as

"The Colony".

(2) All military resistance to the said Military Occupation

of the Colony shall cease forthwith.

(3)  The armed German and Native Forces now in the field are

to be surrendered at Herbertshohe on the 21st day

of September, at Ten (10) o'clock in the forenoon.

Military honours will be grantd.

(4)  Upon the said Acting Govenor giving his parole to take

no further part directly or indirectly in the present War,

no obstacle will be placed in the way of his returning

to Germany. Such parole shall not prevent the said

Acting Governor from tendering to the Imperial Government

at Berlin such advice as he may deem proper with regard

to terms of peace.

(5)  Such Officers of the said forces in the field as are

Officers of the German Regular Forces, will be treated

as prisoners of war in the usual manner.  Such of

the Officers of the said Forces as are not Officers of

the German Regular Forces, but whose usual occupation

is Civil, on taking an oath of neutrality for the duration

of the present War, will be released and permitted

to return to their homes and ordinary avocations, except

where such avocations are official, in which case the

provisions of paragraphs 10 and 11 hereof will apply.

(6)  As the said Acting Govenor gives his assurance that none

of the white Non-commissioned Officers and Men now in the

field belong to the regular forces of the German Empire,

such white Non-commissioned Officers and Men upon taking

the said oath of neutrality, will be released and permitted

to resume their ordinary avocations, except where such

avocations are official, in which case the terms of

 paragraphs 10 and 11 hereof will apply.

-over-

2

(6) Continued:

-except-

where such avocations are official, in which case the

the terms of paragraphs 10 and 11 hereof will apply.

(7)   As it is understood that the safety of the white population

depends to an extent on the existence of a Native

Constabulary, that portion of the armed Native

Constabulary which now forms part of the German Forces

in the field, if found satisfactory, will be transferred
to the Military Administration.

(8)  As the administration of the Colony during the military

occupation will be conducted by the British Military

Commander, all monies and properties of the late

administration are to be handed over to the said

Colonel Holmes, Brigadier Commanding.

(9)   During the said Military Occupation the local laws and

customs will remain in force so far as is consistent

with the military situation.

(10)  As it is intended that administration shall be carried

on under the control of British Officers, subject to

the succeeding paragraph, such only of the Civil

Officials of the late German Administration as it may

be considered necessary to retain in an advisory

capacity, will be continued in their offices. Officials 

so retained will be required to take the oath of neutrality

and their former salaries will be continued. Officials

not so retained, and those who refuse to take the said

oath, will be deported to Australia, but will have no  

obstacle placed in the way of their returning thence to

Germany as soon as is possible.

(11)  For the protection of the white population against the

Natives, the German Officials now in charge of outlying 

portions of the Colony, will continue in their official

capacities until relieved by the Military Administration.

(12)  Any British subjects at present imprisoned or held in
duress in the said Colony, are to be released and returned
to their homes and former positions forthwith. This does
not apply to such persons (if any) who may be serving

a sentence imposed by a Criminal Court of Competent

Jurisdiction.

In witness whereof the said contracting parties of this

first and second parts have hereunto set their hands this

Seventeenth day of September 14 at HERBERTSHOHE, NEW BRITAIN.

E. Haber

William Holmes

Witness to Signature

of - E Haber

[?}

Witness to Signature

of - William Holmes 

[?]

{?]

Addendum.

The Contracting Parties further agree that all Civil

Officials, whether they take the Oath of Neutrality or not,

be entitled to receive at least, their Three (3) Month's

Pay from 1st October, 1914, out of the funds of the Colony,

and also and Advance on Travelling Expenses for returning

Home, according to the Regulations in force under German 

Rule. It is further agreed that they shall have proper

facilities for arranging their Personal affairs in the 

Colony.

The Govenor promises that the amounts expended under

this Head will be refunded by the German Imperial Government

out of the Yearly Colonial Subsidy.

The Brigadier promises that proper care be taken in

order to conduct Women and Children of deported Officials 

to the place where their men are.

All Claims due against the German Administration are to

be paid for out of the funds of the Colony.

It is expressly understood that the Papers relating to

the personal Status of the Officials of the Colony shall be

handed over to  a German Offical designated by the Governor.

E. Haber

William Holmes

Witnesses

[?}

[?]

{?] 

Arrangements to be carried out in connection with the

Surrender of the German Troops to the British at HERBERTSHOHE,

on the 21st September, 1914, at Ten (10) a.m.

1. The German Troops arrive on Parade and are received with

a General Salute by One Hundred (100) British Troops under

Major Martin, 1st Infantry.

2.  The German Troops retun the Compliment and salute the

British.

3.  Both xxx Forces Stand-at-ease. xxx

4.  The Officer commanding the German Troops visits the

Office of the British Commander, and arranges for a place

where his Arms are to be grounded under the personal direction

of the German Commander and then handed by him iver to the

British Commander.

5.  All Arms and Ammunition in possession of Non-Commissioned

Officers and Men are to be surrended. The Brigadier

commanding will permit private arms to be retained for the
 protection of Whites against Natives.

 The private side-arms of Officers are to be retained by

 them.

[signatures]

262.
August 17, 1925.
Colonel F.B. Heritage, C.B.E., M.V.O.,
Royal Military College,
Duntroon, F.T.

Dear Heritage,

The greater number of your suggested amendments of
the text of Volume X of the Official History have been incorporated
in it. In the matter of the signatures to the terms of capitulation, 
however, Colonel Seaforth Mackenzie states that the
original copy of the terms which was filed by him in the Courthouse
at Rabaul does not contain your signature, and that he understood
from Commander Stevenson that Stevenson was the only witness who
signed at the time when the document was actually signed by Holmes
and Haber. In this case, he points out, Stevenson would be the
only actual witness of the signature. Strictly speaking this view
must, I think, be considered correct, and I have therefore allowed
the document to stand in the form in which he supplied it.
Yours sincerely,
C. E. W. BEAN
[*No reply received*]

[*H.N.
Australia

N.Guinea*]

TELEPHONE:
CENTRAL 4780.

Sec/VM.

No. 2384..................

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE,
MELBOURNE.  

21 February, 1927.

Dear Bean,

The particulars desired in your 1760 of 18th
inst., for Mackenzie's Volume are as under:-

Mandate from the League of Nations for German
New Guinea.

(1) Date of instrument-17th December, 1920.
(2) Date of Secretary General's letters forwarding
instrument-17th February, 1921.
 (3) Date the instrument was received in the Prime
Minister's Department-6th April, 1921.

Yours faithfully,
W. A. Newman

C.E.W. Bean, Esq.,
Official Historian,
Victoria Barracks,
SYDNEY.
[*Noted Vol X p.338
CEWB*]

Sydney Morning Herald

Dec 1, 1926

OUR MANDATE.

Glimpses of New Guinea.

11.

RABAUL CONTINUED.

There are in the district of Rabaul about

2000 whites and other, non-indigenous persons, 

and approximately 47,000 natives. On
one's first walk through, the township that
would seem to be an under-estimate, for they
appear to be everywhere. All the males of
whatever age are called "boys" and all the
females "Marys". They are of all shades,

from light brown to jet black, and swing

along with easy grace—the men clad only in

the lap lap, which is a couple of yards of

coloured calico wrapped round the loins, and

reaching to the knees. In addition the 

women wear a cotton garment, covering the 

upper part of the body.  The women are for

most part small and unattractive, but

some of the "boys" are tall, erect, and well

muscled as to arms and shoulders. The hair

of both sexes is short and frizzy or crinkled,

and is normally jet black. As amongst more 

civilised peoples, however, they seldom leave

it as Nature intended, and one encounters all

shades and colours. The most common practice 
is to trat the hair with a mixture of

lime, which, besides possessing certain

hygienic properties, has the effect of bleaching. 

In minor cases this produces a light

brown or deep auburn, but in extreme cases

tuns the hair quite white. Outside the 
township proper other fashions seem to prevail,

and the hair is sometimes treated with pigments 

or vegetable dyes, so that it is not an

uncommon thing to see hair of a bright pink, a

vivid green, or a flaming scarlet. The natives

in the town wear but few ornaments, being

content  for the most part with a woven fibre

arm band and a hibiscus behind the ear, while

those attending the missions can be identified 
by a religious emblem threaded on a 

string and worn round the neck probably, one

suspects, rather in the nature of a charm

against evil than with any reverence. An

occasional dandy will affect a pair of plaited

fibre garters, or smear one eye with white

after the manner of the music hall white-eyed

kaffir of pleasant memory.

UNIFORM.

Those boys that have been taken into the

service of the Administration wear a flat-

topped, peaked cap, perched on top of their

abundant and distinctive lap lap,

the medical service having white edged with

red, and emblazoned with a red cross, while

the police boys have a blue scolloped lap lap

girder with a broad leather belt. Some of 

these carry a stick, while others have a short 

sword at their sides. Under the system being

followed a greatly increasing share in the conduct 

of affairs and in the administration of

justice is being assigned to the native by a

system of "luluais" and "tultuls." The luluai

acts as the representative of the Administration 

in his village, and in that capacity is responsible 

for the maintenance of good order

and for the observance of all orders and regulations 

applicable to the natives within the

village. He adjudicates in quarrels and settles 

minor matters of difference amongst the

people of the village, and is required to

 promptly report to the Administration any

breach of the peace or irregularity that may

occur. The luluai is assisted by a tultul

whose duty is to convey to the people any

orders or information received by the luluai

from the Administration, and to act as a means

of communication between the authorities and

the people of the village. The luluai is further 

assisted by a medical tultul, or village

native medical orderly.

In addition, the police force of the territory, 

the duties of which are confined to the

maintenance of internal order, is manned entirely 

by natives, except as regards the warrant 

officers and officers of higher rank. The 

non-commissioned officers have red chevrons

woven on a piece of blue cloth, which is strapped 

round the bare upper arm. These native

police are the mainstay of the Administration,

as on their assistance only can reliance be

placed to maintain order. The European police

staff in Rabaul consists of a superintendent of

police, a drill instructor, four European policemen, 

and a clerk. Scattered through the territory 

are about 40 non-commissioned officers

and perhaps 500 constables. In addition, certain 

native chiefs are invested with authority

—the outward indications of which are a cap

and a staff—to maintain order, be responsible 

for keeping of roads and cleanliness of native

villages etc. If they fail they are deprived 

of their caps, which is considered a great in-

dignity.

KOKOPO.

The only towns in New Britain are Rabaul

and Kokopo, about 20 miles distant, and 
connected by a good road. It was in the vicinity

of Kokopo that the Australian Expeditionary
Force landed in 1914, and captured the wireless
station at Bitu Paka. It is a matter for regret 

that on that occasion it should have been
considered necessary to partially destroy thls
fine installation—at that time one of the most
powerful stations in the Pacific. It was of
course, subsequently restored, but not to 
anything like its former power. The exploits of
the A.E.F. now facetiously referred to locally
as the cocoanut lancers, in the light of 
subsequent events, and later knowledge appear 
almost Gilbertian, although to the participants
it was a matter they regarded as of serious
moment and the fact that they thought they
were braving dangers which actually did not
exist does not in any way detract from their
courage or efficiency. Stories are told of how
the troops encamped in a cocoanut plantation
imagined themselves surrounded by enemies
who with each succeeding day were magnified
into an army. Unaccustomed to the tropics.
and with nerves on edge, every whisper of the
wind through the ever-rustling palms at night
was an alarm, and the occasional! dropping of a
heavy ripe nut was followed by the report of
a sentry's rifle. It was some time before a
few long-bearded and venerable missionaries
made their way in and explained that there 

would be no armed resistance. Later, when

quartered in Rabaul, some privates will recall
with glee and officers with chagrin how the

fact that stores are built on piles made it

possible to sample the rum stored therein by the

simple process of boring an augur hole through

the floor and the bottom of the cask and

drawing the liquor off in kerosene tin.

We motored to Kokopo in the cool of the

afternoon along a well-kept, picturesque road

through groves of cocoanut palms with native

habitations here and there, and glimpses o the

sea at intervals. At the conclusion of our

drive we rested and refreshed on the broad

verandah of the hotel, and admired the tropical

foliage in clear-cut silhouette against the

soft light of the evening sky. Our hostess, a

charming lade, who formerly graced the

society of an Australian city, had with true

Island hospitality placed at our disposal her 

time and her car, intent only that we should

see as much of the district as possible in the

short time at our disposal. We would have

been content to linger at Kokopo, but our

hostess had designed otherwise. So we motored

back towards Rabaul, and at a point on the

road where a tall palm leaned gracefully over 

to another like a gallant wooing his mistress

we turned in among the trees, and came to a

dwelling. Here in a detached pavilion, open

on all sides to the air, and lighted by Chinese

lanterns, a table was set, and with sharpened
appetites we discussed a first-class dinner,

waited upon the while by a couple of silent-

footed boys, and enlivened by the muted tones

of a good gramophone.  Here was everything

we could desire—well-cooked food, good liquor, 

charming ladies, pleasant conversation, and

the soft balmy air of a moonlit tropic night.

AUSTRALIAN WOMANHOOD.
Our hostess detailed incidents of life in the
Islands, and as she sat at the head of the
table, clad in a modish evening frock, 
exhaling a faint perfume and looking essentially

feminine, it was difficult to imagine that on

the morrow she would return to her home,
miles away from white habitation, and, in 

the absence of her husband, capably and
successfully manage the affairs of a large plantation.

As a foreign observer has written of 

us, "if Australia is to achieve greatness it will

be mainly through the courage, capacity, and

adaptability of her women." This dinner at
Ravunu was one to be remembered, seated as 

we were almost on the edge of the bay, with

the waves softly lapping on th shore, and the

moon through the palms casting a silver radiance

on the waters. Also for the resolution 

of any susceptible bachelor should some 

intriguing miss entice him to dine with under

such circumstances. All too soon we returned

to town to attend and open-air fete held 

in aid of some charity or other, and one of 

our lady passengers was successful in guessing

the weight of a small bottle of recently-

won Edie Creek gold, and so netted about £17

at the cost of 5/. Later we returned to the

broad verandah of the Rabaul Hotel, and 

over long glasses of cool liquid discussed the

events of an enjoyable day, and settled in

imagination the affairs of the Mandated Territory

of New Guinea and of all the nations 

generally.