Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-10-09
Stories From Orient Show That
German Defenders of Kiao-
chau Wit Long Hold Out "

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! Newspapers from the Orient arriv
ing here. bring much interesting news
of conditions at Tsingtau, Hongkons
and other ports. Following are Some
OF the articles of 5nferest:
Conditions at Tsingtsu.
SHANGHAI, Aug. 2O.-one of the
latest arrivals from Tsingtau gives a
most interesting description of condi
tons prevailing III the German fort
ress, now that no foreigners remain
The governor has announced that a
bombardment may be expected any
day this weel.
II is stated that there is a general
misconception regarding the strength
OF the land ward Notifications, the lat.
ter having been somewhat unfavor.
ably compared with the batteries fac
ing the sea. The defenders of Using.
tau are convinced that, barring acci.
dents, there is little likelihood of the
city being taken before the close of
this year. Notwithstanding the strength
of the force that may be brought
against 1t.
Apart from the four or five thousand
men of the regular army within the
city, there are some fifteen hundred
reserves. The majority of the latter
are men of good birth and education
and though suddenly removed from
the Injuries of life in Shanghai and
other places to the rigors of military
life in beleaguered town, are likely
TO render an even better account Of
themselves than the ordinary soldier.
There is good feeling among all
the men forming the garrison, but
more especially among the class re-
ferred to. The officers recognize this,
and allow good deal OF latitude as
regards the messing together OF men
from any particular far eastern com.
munity
Bearing in'mind this question of SUI
perior education, there is the signifi-
cant fact that so great is the number
of non-eomn1issioned officers among
the reserves that 1t has been found
necessary to form one or two compa-
MES from non-colnmissioned officers
alone.
The comfort of the coming fighters
has BEEN we'll provided FOR and al
though there can be no comparison be-
tween the amenities OF life in bar
racks and that to be found in the clubs
of Shanghai, the men seem to be con-
tented with their lot, Notwithstanding
the necessity Of sleeping eleven and
twelve in q room unprovided with mos.
quito nets and electric fans. Although
uniforms, readymade, do not always
cit, what matter?
The soldiers manning the galleries
and casemates Of the rock batteries
are the worst off; damp and heat is
their portion, but not grumble is
heard.
The town is reported to be plenti.
fully supplied with provisions, and
however prolonged the siege short
commons are not anticipated Apart
from the large quantity of salt beef
which formed part of the cargo Of the
captured steamer Rjasan, many other.
commodities we're found beneath her
decks. Not the least among these was
over thousand cases of lemons, the
result being that the price of this
thirstquenching fruit has declined
from 90 to cents apiece.
Very few offices remain open, and
the hours Of business for these are
eircumseribed. From the "taipan" to
the junior clerk. an attend in uniform.
and get through what business is to
be done before the call of military
service necessitates the closing Of the
safe. desk and typewriter, and adjourn,
ment to the parade ground.
In view Of the ultimatnm delivered
BY Japan. all her subjects were given
IS hours notice 10 quit Practically
the only people remaining in the port
are Germans. all other nationalities
having departed. The foreign hongs
are closed.
s All summer. visitors have paid their
bills and departed 10 more favored
holiday resorts. The majority Of the
, German lady residents were remain
ing until Monday last week, but in
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