Focus questions
DeQ7 For what purpose are German people buying land in New Guinea?
DeQ8 For what reason do you think the German warships are present and how do you think the presence of the German warships makes Australians feel?

GERMAN ANNEXATION IN THE PACIFIC.

The Age, Melbourne, 19th December 1884.
[By Electric Telegraph. From our own Correspondent.]
Sydney, Friday morning, 3.25 a.m.

The special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph at New Britain wires as follows:- "The German war vessels Elizabeth and Hyaere have arrived here under instructions from the German Imperial authorities to establish a protectorate over all the islands in this part of the Pacific occupied by German citizens or held by German capitalists. The Imperial Protectorate has been established over the north coast of New Britain, and the German flag formally hoisted and saluted. The same ceremony of hoisting the German flag over all German property has been performed by these vessels at New Britain, New Ireland, and the Admiralty Islands. A steamer from Samoa, supposed to be in the service of the German Government, has been visiting various portions of the north coast of New Guinea and the adjoining islands for the purpose of concluding treaties with the native inhabitants for the transfer of land to the German Government. So far as I have been able to learn, the object of these purchases is to establish German claims to the territory in northern New Guinea and the neighbouring islands in preference to any other nation. Already large tracts of territory have been acquired in this way, and wherever this has been done the German flag has been hoisted. The German authorities here have also notified that they will not acknowledge the interests of the citizens of any other nationality than Germany in connexion with territory on the northern shores of New Guinea, or in New Britain, New Ireland, or the Admiralty Islands."

Printed in a memorandum for the Governor from James Service, Premier of Victoria, 20 December 1884, SLV, MS10798, Box 960/5.

GERMANY IN THE PACIFIC – REPORTED ANNEXATIONS.

The Argus, Melbourne, 20th December 1884.
[By Telegraph. From our Correspondent.]
Brisbane, Friday.

The following telegram was received from Cooktown to night:- "H.M.S. Raven arrived on Tuesday afternoon from New Guinea, bringing a number of sealed telegrams for the home and colonial authorities, also two for Berlin, and one for the German Consulate at Sydney, from Hernsheim and Co., Matupi, the latter having, been brought to New Guinea by H.M.S. Swinger, from New Britain. Information relative to German annexation is held back until the home and other authorities have been communicated with, but yesterday rumours were current here that the German warship Elizabeth, after leaving Sydney, proceeded to Singapore or some other Eastern port, where she was joined by four other vessels, and then proceeded to New Guinea, and annexed that portion of the island not previously annexed by England, and also New Britain, New Ireland, and the Duke of York, the Admiralty, and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands. This is all the information obtainable here at present. The Raven having coaled, will return to New Guinea probably tomorrow." The Government has received no intelligence confirmatory of the above.

Printed in a memorandum for the Governor from James Service, Premier of Victoria, 20 December 1884, SLV, MS10798, Box 960/5.

Melbourne Punch, 7 February 1889.