CO885-24 — Page 53

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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CO. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

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CEYLON.

We then

should read, "Elbkälme warnen verweser," meaning warn steamers). proceeded to the harbour. The Kleist" arrived at 10 p.m., Messrs. v. Pavel and D. Dochle go on board. Captain reports that on entering Colombo Harbour he received a wireless message from Sabang, reading, Singapore wires return Sabang for further orders.' As the captain had some doubt as to the genuine origin of this message, and also whether the political situation was serious, the German Consul was requested at midnight to come personally on board from the theatre (Public Hall) to interview the captain, which he did, the result being that the steamer sailed at 5 a.m. on the 2nd August, 1914, for Sabang.

(NOT Although the Consul had previously declared the "Simla message could not be interpreted. Initialled R. W.)

Sunday, 2nd August, 1914-Early in the morning the general Austrian Within an hour of its mobilization telegram for the Austrians was received. receipt each individual Austrian living in Colombo received a signed copy of this telegram from the Austrian Consul, Herr Winfried Freudenberg. The receipt of this cable made it quite clear that all who had military obligations to fulfil had to do their utmost to rejoin the colours, and to leave Colombo as quickly as possible. Efforts to do so were wrecked by the fact that the Consul had no means (money) available to disburse travelling expenses.

*

In harbour are the following boats: Emden" (H.A.L.), 'Steinturm," and "Trifels." The captain of the "Emden declared that he would sail on his own responsibility during the night (Sunday to Monday) from Colombo, and make for the nearest neutral port. The 8.8. "Emden ' was not in barbour early on Monday morning.

"

The German Consul cabled to the General Consul at Simla, on Sunday, that

* Verweser on Saturday. he could not understand the cable received from

Sunday evening the following telegram was received from Simla, bearing the Colombo post date of 2nd August, 1914:-

"General mobilization ordered. Please arrange for immediate return home of all who are liable for service. Provide passage money for those who cannot afford to pay themselves. Wire report.-ROSEN." Monday, 3rd Augusi, 1914.—At 9.30 a.m. the above-mentioned telegram was handed to Mr. v. Pavel with instructions to keep contents of same strictly private. Previously to this several gentlemen in the employment of Freudenberg & Company had been requested by them to produce their military passes, so that the instructions contained therein regarding mobilization might be scrutinized. Amongst others, Herr Thorwart (care of George Boysen & Company) and Herr Belstedt (care of Ch. & A. Bohringer) reported themselves to Herr Winfried Freudenberg. In reply to Thorwart's inquiry whether there was any news, or if Germany had mobilized, he was informed that a telegram had been received, but the contents could not be communicated to him on that day, because it was not desired that contents and purpose of such telegram should be made known to the English. A question as to possibility of procuring a steamer and passage money was answered with the remark that telegraphic instructions had been sent to Simla, and that a reply must be waited for before any answer could be given. Officially, Mr. Thorwart was not told on this day (3rd August, 1914) that reservists had been called upon to rejoin the colours. Similar remarks were made to Mr. Bellstedt. Mr. Bellstedt made a further statement that he would be glad to proceed home, and asked for passage money. Mr. W. Freudenberg told him he might gladly go, but passage money could only be paid to those who could not pay for themselves. Herr Bell- stedt thereupon declared officially that at the moment he was without means. This remark, which naturally implied he required passage money, was passed over in silence.

A further number of reservists reported themselves with their military papers, However, nobody was officially informed that the which were partly looked over. reservists had been called up.

At the German Club and in private houses the telegrams received during the day were discussed in the evening, and everybody was waiting for news from Šimla which should clear up the question of mobilization.

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Tuesday, 4th August, 1914.-Newspaper reports (London telegrams) speak of the mobilization in Germany. Nearly half the Germany colony in Colombo assembled at Freudenberg's office to inquire about news from the Consulate.

Herr v. Pavel tells Mr. Freudenberg that he could no longer keep the contents of Monday's cable secret, and requests Mr. Freudenberg to announce the contents officially and in person. Mr. v. Pavel is then requested to do so himself in as quiet a fashion as possible. Mr. v. Pavel declines to do this, with the remark that he was only an assistant of the firm and had nothing to do with such official consular matters. To this Mr. W. Freudenberg replied that he was under the impression the reservists were aware of the contents of the telegram. Mr. v. Pavel points out that Mr. Freudenberg had distinctly ordered him not to disclose the contents of the telegram, to which Mr. Freudenberg replies that the matter must have been misur.derstood (by v. Pavel).

A circular letter was then sent out by the Consul to all reservists, to which was attached the original telegram (dated Colombo, 2nd August, 1914). Text, see top of page 3 [p. 92]. (Marginal mark ) in my translation. Initialled R.W.)

A few minutes later, during the discussion of a purely business matter between Messrs. Freudenberg and Dochle, the latter informs Freudenberg that for the moment he was incapable of giving the matter his consideration, as his head was full of the contents of the telegram which had just been circulated.

In the course of half an hour a meeting of all reservists was held in the Consul's room. At this meeting the chief item of discussion was to weigh the chances of leaving the island as quickly as possible, and, further, it was requested to give the reservists some explanation which might account for the delay in advising them of the receipt of the mobilization orders, or which might justify such delay.

The meeting was postponed until the following morning, for the reason that important telegraphic replies had to be waited for from Simla and Bombay (containing, amongst other news, arrangements about travelling).

During the course of the afternoon two other gentlemen reported themselves to Mr. W. Freudenberg who, even if mobilization had been ordered, were exempt from joining the army. They requested that, provided the reservists were called up, they might be allowed to join them, and requested the Consul to cover the cost of their journey. Their request was declined with the remark, business?"

"And the

"Miss Hook of In the evening we went to the Public Hall (performance, Holland"). During the first interval a bank manager gave out that war had been declared between Germany and England. We drove at once home, although the report had not been in any way confirmed.

Wednesday, 5th August, 1914.—-At 10.30 a.m. the Germans assembled at the

Steinturm." "Trifels" and "

Mr. W. Consulate, including the captains of the 8.8. Freudenberg, after a few opening remarks, points out the seriousness of the posi tion, and gives, in his capacity as Acting German Consul, the captains of the steamers mentioned orders to take all German reservists on board and to make for the nearest neutral port. Departure was fixed for 3 p.m., and each individual was instructed to take as little (luggage) as possible with him. In the meantime, the agents of the Hansa Line were requested to do the needful, with the Harbour and Customs authorities, to ensure an immediate departure. At this juncture, Herr S. Freudenberg, who had not so far taken part at the meeting, suddenly announcer (at about 11 a.m.) that official news had been received from Queen's House that war had broken out between Germany and England. The captains proceed at once on board their steamers, which were seized in the course of a few hours by Government, who put troops on board.

Our prospects of getting away grow less.

At 3.30 p.m. Mr. W. Freudenberg was asked to call on the Governor. On his return we learn that we must pledge ourselves on word of honour to remain neutral and not to make any attempt to leave the island. We sign a circular letter to this What, on the effect, from which it also appears that we are prisoners of war. other hand, would have happened to us if we had not signed this circular letter (whether we should have been expelled or imprisoned) we are not informed. We are inclined to think that in this respect insufficient inquiries were made with the Governor.