"WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE FIRST ROUND."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 201, 18 August 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

"WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE FIRST ROUND."

ADMIRAL BEATTY'S SPEECH TO MEN OF BATTLE CRUISER SQUADRON. There was a stirring scene at i.io base on the return of the heroic and diminished battlo-cruTs.er squadron from the great naval battle. When the crews had landed they were gathered together 'and inspected by Admiral Beatty, who was received with ringing cheers. The admiral, his face aglow with pride as he surveyed the splendid men before him, spoke as follows : Officers and men of the Tiger, Princess Royal, and Lion — I offer you my sincere thanks for what will ever remain in history a gallant day. I told a lot of you here present on August 4 what we hoped to do. What T said then is that which we have now carred out. I suppose most of you have girls —some o c you more than one —wo will ask what you have done Te . them you d d your duty, win a the British are always doing You can take it from me ■*! at ll>-. damage we inflicted on the Gern\-:ii* was far gr ,Mer than that which tlty inflicted ou us. They have lost two battleships +wo battle enrsers of the most modern type, including the battle cruiser Lutzo.w, four light cruisers, and destroyers so numerous that we have not managed to count them. I want to offer you my sincere sympathy. We have all lost relatives, friends, and shipmates who have given up their lives in a most gallant manner. But their valuable lives have not been wasted, and there wi'l be a dav when we will take further toll fer'them. G : ve my kindest sympathy and regards to the relatives of those who died so gloriously. We have now to get our sh''ps in a good condition for the second round. We have only had the first round, but in the second I think they will finally throw up the sponge.

Admiral Beatty called for cheers for Roar-Admiral Brock, which were heartily "iven.

The roar-adnrral replied: "I think it is a great honour to light under Mich ;i gallant admiral as Sir David Beatty, and I am looking forward to the time when we shall again meet the enemy.''