Complex sentence: In December 1914 the German gunboat "Cormoran", pursued by the Japanese Navy, tried to take on provisions and refuel in Guam and the commanding officer, when denied what he required, accepted internment as enemy aliens rather than return to sea without sufficient fuel.
Split into simpler sentences: In December 1914 the German gunboat "Cormoran", pursued by the Japanese Navy, tried to take on provisions and refuel in Guam. When denied what he required, the commanding officer accepted internment as enemy aliens rather than return to sea without sufficient fuel.