The physical characteristics of Kiao-Chau make it an ideal fortress.  The entrance of the bay is nearly two miles wide and is commanded by hills rising 600 feet directly in the rear of Tsing-tau.  The ring of hills that surrounds the city does not extend back into the hinterland, and thus there is no screen behind which the Japanese forces can quickly invest the city.  Germany has utilized the semicircle of hills in the construction of large concrete forts equipped with Krupp guns of 14 and 16 inch calibre, which, for four or five miles back into the peninsula, command all approaches to the city.

The Japanese Army in approaching Tsing-tau has had to do so practically in the open.  The troops found no hills behind which they could with safety mount heavy siege guns without detection by the German garrison.  In fact, the strategic plan for the capture of the town has been much like the plan adopted by the Japanese forces at Port Arthur—­they have forced their approach by sappings.  While this is a gradual method, it is certain of victory in the end and results in very little loss of life.

The natural elevations of the Iltis, Bismarck, and Moltke forts at the rear of Tsing-tau have another advantage in that they are so situated that they are commanded by at least two other forts.  All of the guns had been so placed that they can be turned on their neighbors if the occasion arises.

A Japanese aeroplane soaring over Tsing-tau on Oct. 30 scattered thousands of paper handbills on which was printed the following announcement, in German, from the Staff Headquarters: 

“To the Honored Officers and Men in the Fortress:  It is against the will of God as well as the principles of humanity to destroy and render useless arms, ships of war, merchantmen, and other works and constructions not in obedience to the necessity of war, but merely out of spite lest they fall into the hands of the enemy.

“Trusting, as we do, that, as you hold dear the honor of civilization, you will not be betrayed into such base conduct.  We beg you, however, to announce to us your own view as mentioned above.”

The German Attack on Tahiti

As Told by Miss Geni La France, an Eyewitness.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., Oct. 7.—­Graphic stories of the plight of Papeete, capital of Tahiti, in the Society Islands, were told here today by passengers arriving on the Union Steamship Company’s liner Moana.  Several of those on board the steamer were in Papeete when the town was bombarded by the German cruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst.  They said the place was in ruins and that the natives were still hiding in the hills, whence they fled when the bombardment began.

The stories of those arriving on the Moana vary only in unimportant details.  Perhaps the most graphic story was that told by Miss Geni La France, a French actress.  She told of the Governor’s heroism and his self-sacrificing devotion to duty, which caused him to face death rather than surrender.  All of the passengers were loud in their praise of this Frenchman, who thought first of his country, next of his guests—­for so he considered all travelers—­and next of the city’s residents.