Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-09-10
STUBBORN FIGHT
BY GERMANSNOW
In HONGkONG

\ tIemaD, VINO Is now OH HIS way W
the United States, via Europe, sends
US the following extremely interesting
account of what he saw at Hongkong.
Japan Advertiser:
S. s. HIRANO MARU, Hongkong;
August 10.-As / dare say the subject
| may be one of interest to the numer-
Gus readers of your highly interest
/ ing journal, beg to forward to you
brief description of the spectacle pre-
scented in Hongkong harbor on our
! arrival at that port for Shanghai. As
We approached the. northern entrance
we were met by series of picket
boats who subjected us to close scrl
tiny. On ascertaining that the vessel
was a acknowledgement one We we're
permitted to enter the harbor limits
and take up our anchorage close to
the receiving depot ship OF the British
| admiralty, 49, + - H.. ...s*.{.
When we were securely anchored
and had time to glance around the,
specious land-locked bay spectacle
of unusual import met our gaze.
Scores of German coasting vessels lay
scattered all around. presumably
prizes taken by the. numerous small
craft attached to the British navy, In
some cases evidences were seen OF
stubborn resistance and attempted
flight, great gashes were to be OBJ
served above the water line where
shells had been aimed at their vital
places, also their tunnels could be OBJ.
, served riddled with small holes
caused by the explosion of shrapnel
and resembling closely elongated pep
per boxes.
German Cruisers Captured.
! In one part of the harbor two Ger.
man cruisers were anchored between
patrol boats. They presented a most
deplorable aspect; their upper and
. breast works were completely shot
away, barbettes and turrets were COM
pleteIy demolished, while their masts
j and tunnels had been swept over,
board. The scene of carnage on the
deck during the capture of. those yes.
sells must have been most revolving,
as streams of red could be seen having
issued from the scuppers, staining the
vessels, side TO the water line, bearing
mute witness to the number or lives
which must have been sacrificed in the
defense OF the vessel.
Hundreds Of Prisoners.
ION shore could be seen hundreds OF
prisoners who we're confined within
suitable enclosures. They were grant
ed every freedom and courtesy at the
hands of their captors. Each face wore
sang froid aspect; they smoked, they
chatted to each other in apparently un-'
concerned fashion, absolutely regard
less of the momentous events which
were Detailing their country. Officers
could be seen In small tents drinking
book and playing cards with the ut.
most disregard for the unenyiable po-
sition in which they found themselves.
| 1t cannot be said that the British ON.
GERS in charge of the garrison of Hong
kong treated their prisoners inhos-
pitably, as we were informed that num-
erous invitations were issued by them
nightly to officers of similar rank OF
themselves to dinner parties, balls,
soirees. and bridge parties, while dur
| ing the day friendly contests in golf,
polo. baseball and other athletic past.
times were literally INDUCED in thus
showing that the enmity existing be-
tween the captured and their captors
- F
was not OF a personal character.
Kiaoehau 6loekaded.
We endeavored, while trayersing
this scene of warfare and Its after
math, to ascertain whether any de-
cisive battle had taken place at kiao-
chau but could only learn tnat tnat
port was blockaded by the British
squadron which had left Hongkong
few days previously and which up TIL
the present had engaged In no action
but were contemplating lombard
ment which would probably deluge
that place in blood.
1t might be interesting to state that
the British garrison at Hongkong are
on continuous duty night and day, the
artillery of the fortresses are continu
ally kept loaded while keenly trained
eyes constantly scan the horizon
watching for any suspicious VesseI
which might appear In sight. =.
Chinese Spies Beheaded.
A few destroyers patrol the sur.
rounding islands on the lookout for
junks which might contain suspicious
personages who may be engaged In
espionage in the German cause. IL IS
stated that several of those jHnks have
been already captured and IN some
cases most discriminating documents
have been found containing secret In
formation regarding the Notifications
and the number of men employed IN
their defense. Needless to say the
majority of those men engaged In this
business are Chinese who when ar.
rested are promptly handed over to
their officials and are beheaded.
Abundance Of Stores.
Provisions in Hongkong are 10 be-
found in plentiful quantities, there Is
no shortage whatever In any OF the
Commodities required during pro.
longed seige. ample heaps Of coal es-
timated to supply the navy for years
are stored in the Admiralty Wharyes
and godoWns. Condensing vessels also
supply plentiful quantities Of pure
water Tor the use Of either the navy
or the inhabitants. The medical stan
{ Is also energetic in its enterprises for
|thwartins disease and pestilence, as L
IS & well known fact that among the