(6) Cameroons were warned to be ready to take their shipping up the river beyond his reach.
(7) Should he endeavour to work homewards across the South Atlantic, he would come into the area of a new squadron under Admiral de Robeck to be formed near the Cape de Verde Islands, comprising the old battleship Vengeance, the strong armoured cruisers Warrior and Black Prince and the Donegal, Highflyer, and later Cumberland.
Thus to compass the destruction of five warships, only two of which were armoured, it was necessary to employ nearly thirty, including twenty-one armoured ships, the most part of superior metal, and this took no account of the powerful Japanese Squadrons, and of French ships or of armed merchant cruisers, the last-named effective for scouting.
I telegraphed to the Japanese Admiralty as follows:—
British Admiralty to Japanese Admiralty.
November 5, 1914.
In consequence of unsuccessful action off Chili and definite location of German squadron, we have ordered concentration off Montevideo of Defence, Kent, Carnarvon and Cornwall. These will be joined with all dispatch by Invincible and Inflexible battle-cruisers from England, and Dartmouth light cruiser from East Africa, and remainder of defeated squadron from Chili. This assures the South Atlantic situation. We now desire assistance of Japan in making equally thorough arrangements on Pacific side. We propose for your consideration and friendly advice the following:—Newcastle and Idzumo to go south in company to San Clemente Island off San Diego, California, there to meet Hizen from Honolulu. Meanwhile Asama will be able to effect internment or destruction of Geier. We also propose to move Australia battle-cruiser from Fiji to Fanning Island. By the time these moves are complete, probably by November 17, we may know more of Scharnhorst and Gneisenau movements and a further concentration of Australia and Asama with Hizen, Idzumo and Newcastle will be possible either at San Clemente or further to the south, further movements depending on the enemy.
We should also like a Japanese squadron to advance to Fiji to take the place of the Australia and so guard Australia and New Zealand in case the Germans return.
With regard to the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, it is now known that Emden is the only enemy ship at large. We therefore hope that the Japanese squadrons and vessels not involved in the eastward movement will draw westward into the vicinity of Sumatra and the Dutch East Indies in order to block every exit and deny every place of shelter up to the 90th meridian of east longitude.
British Admiralty are combining in Indian waters in search of Emden the following light cruisers:—Weymouth, Gloucester, Yarmouth, Melbourne, Sydney, and the armoured cruiser Hampshire and Russian cruiser Askold. These ships will be ready by the middle of November. Thus by concerted action between the Allied fleets the Emden should be speedily run down.