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Press, Volume LV, Issue 16412, 4 January 1919, Page 8

Tho surrender of the German Fleet is such a momentous fact—an event indeed, without a parallel in the navai history of Great Britain, or of any other country—that we have felt it our duty to print in full the admirable account written by "The Times" correspondent who witnessed the thrilling Bcene. Wo venture to suggest that it ought to bo read in every school throughout the

Dominion,

I The naval correspondent of "Tho Times" says it is difficult to, estimate the monetary value of the ships surrendered, hut they must have cost much over 50 millions, and the total loss will be much higher , when the expenditure indirectly incurred in their construction, as in the extension and equipment of naval establishments and the widening of the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal, is taken into account. The/ suggestion that these ships now in custody of the British Navy at iScapa Flow, awaiting tho decision of the Peace Conference, should be taken out to sea and sunk is surely preposterous. The effect of the surrender, as "The Times" naval contributor remarks, is. to reduce at one stroke tho German navy, once the socond strongest in the world, to a negligible position, barely occupying in material alone the status of a fifth or sixth rate Naval Power. But a Navy consists of something more than ships, and what can be said of tho "moral" of the German officers and men after having to submit to this humiliating surrender ?

Support is being sought in Great Britain for an interesting; scheme dosigned to celebrate the close of tho war and tho reconcjliation of Britain and [ tho United States. Tho proposal is to establish an International University at Plymouth, whonce the Pilgrims took their departure in the "Mayflower." Dr. Rendel Harris, a distinguished Oriental scholar who has been a lecturer and professor in British Amorican Universities, has communicated particulars of the scheme to Mr George Hogben. The idea is to found the now University in 1920, in which year occurs the torccntenaiy of the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers. It would be democratic in type, "with no distinctions of religion, sex, or social position, and no fees," the government of it boing vested equally in British and American hands. A preliminary endowment of at least £2,000,000 is aimed at, so that it will be seen that the promoters of the schemo are aiming high.

v Associated with Dr. Rendel Harris aro Viscount Bryce and Professor Gilbert Murray, and thoy desire to enlist the sympathy of America and tho Do-

minions. Dr. Rondel Harris says that much support is being given to tho idea, and he intimates that the Dominion would have a hand' in the government and toaching of the University. Mr Hogben mentions, in communicating those facts, that Sir Robert Stout, Chancellor of the University of KenZealand, lias expressed his willingness to assist the scheme iq any way and that early in this year public meetings will be held in the four chief centres. The idea seems to us to be an excellent one, and likely to do a good deal towards nourishing tho friendship betwoen the two great English-speaking States.