Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-09-10
STUBBORN Fight
BYGERMANSNOW
In HONGKONG

MF. q. l.. P0weiF, an American gen
tleman. who is now on his way tt
the United States, via Europe, sends
us the following extremely interesting
account of what he saw at Hongkong
Japan Advertiser:
s. S. HlRANo MARU, Hongkong
August 10.--As j 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 a
brief description Of the spectacle pre-,
sented 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 a close scru.
! tiny. On ascertaining that the vessel
was acknowledgement one we were
: permitted to enter the harbor limits
/ and take up our anchorage close to
the receiving depot ship OF the British
admiralty
When we were securely anchored
and had time to glance around the
specious land-loeked 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
fight, 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 shrapneI
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 most
deplorable aspect; their upper and
breast works were completely shot
away, barbettes and turrets were com.
pletely demolished, while their masts
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 Of lives
which must have been sacrificed In the
defense OF the vessel.
Hundreds Of Prisoners.
On shore could be seen hundreds of
prisoners who were confined within
suitable enclosures They were grant.
ed every freedom and courtesy at the
hands of their captors. Each face wore
atsang-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 OFF, |
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 |
was not of a personal character.
kiaochau 5lockaded. !,
We endeavored, while traversing |
this scene of warfare and lis after |
math, to ascertain whether any de.
cisive battle had taken place at Kiao.
chau but could only learn that that
port was blockaded by the British
squadron which had left Hongkong
few days previously and which up till
the present had engaged in no action
but were contemplating a 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 vessel
which might appear in sight.
Chinese Spies 6eheaded.
A few destroyers patrol the sur.
islands on the lookout for
unks which might contain suspicious
who may be engaged In
espionage in the German cause 1t is
stated that several of those iunks have
,een already captured and in some
asses most. discriminating documents
rave been found containing secret In.
regarding the fortifcations
md the number of men employed in
heir defense. Needless to say the
majority Of those men engaged in this
business are Chinese who when ar.
ested are promptly handed over to
heir officials and are beheaded.
abundance Of stores.
Provisions in Hongkong are TO be
ound in plentiful quantities, there is
10 shortage whatever in any of the
commodities required during a pro-
onged seige. ample heaps of coal es.
mated to supply the navy for years
ire stored in the Admiralty wharves
md godowns Condensing vessels also
uppIy plentiful quantities of pure
Pater for the use of either the navy
Il the inhabitants. The medical stan
also energetic IN its enterprises for
1NertinS disease and pestilence. as it
well known fact that among the
A..