THE SISTER NAVIES.

Taihape Daily Times, 21 February 1919, Page 5

THE SISTER NAVIES.

WORK OF AMERICAN FLEET SIR DAVID BEATTY 'S COMRADES OF MIST AND SUN. The Coinmia-nder-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, Admiral Sir David Beatty, delivered the following address on board the U.S.S. New York on December 1. before the detachment of the American Sixth Battle Squadron from the Grand Fleet: — "I could not let the Sixth Battle Squadron go without coming on board the New* York and saying something of what I feel at this moment of your departure. I had intended to ask Admiral Rodman to permit me to say something te representatives of all the ships of the Sixth Battle Squadron on board his flagship, but the exigencies of the service did not permit me. Therefore, as Admiral Rodman has said, what I say to you I hope you will promulgate to your comrades in other ships and also to your comrades of the Atlantic Fleet. What I say, I hope you will und'erstand, comes from the heart, not 0111/ my heart, but the hearts of your comrades of the Grand Fleet. -'I want first of all to thank you, Admiral Rodman, the captains ,officers and ships' companies of this magnificent squadron for the wonderful co-operation and loyalty you have given me and my admirals and the assistance you Slave given \is in every duty you have to undertake. The support which you ho v. 1 shown is that of true comradeship, and in the time of stress that is worth a very great deal. As somebody} said. )the Other day, "Fighting is now over; talking is now going to begin.' Therefore, I do not want to keep you here any longer, but I want to congratulate you for having been present upon a day unsurpassed in the naval annals of the world. I know quite avcll that you, as well as tall your British com-, rades, Avere bitterly disappointed at not being able 'to give effect to that efficiency you have so well maintained. It was .a most disappointing day. It was a pitiful day to see those great ships coming in like sheep Ibeing herded by dogs to their fold without an ;offort on anybody's part, but it was a day everybody could be proud of. RECOGNITION WANTED. •I have received messages from several people offering sympathy to the Grand Floot, and my answer was.. 'We do not want sympat v 'V. We want recognition of the fact that the prestige of the Grand Fleet stood so high it was sufficient to cause the envoi y to surrender without striking a blow.' I had always certain misgivings and when the Sixth Battle. Squadron became part of the Grand Fleet thos';> misgivings were doubly strengthened, and I knew then they would throw up their hands. • Apparently, the Sixth Battle Squadron was the straw that broke the camel's back. However, the - that the Grand Fleet, was unable to strike their blow for the freeefbm. of the world is counteracted by the.\fact that it was.' thbir alone that brought about this achievement. During the last 12 months you have been with us Ave have learned to knoweach other very well. We learned to respect each other. WARM PLACE IN BRITISH HEARTS "I want you to take back the message to the Atlantic Fleet that you have left a very warm place in the hearts of the Grand Fleet Avhich cannot be filled until you come back or send another squadron to represent you. You have given us a sample of the Atlantic Fleet which I think it will try the Atlantic Fleet, efficient as it is, very bard to reproduce. I Understand you are now going to Portland, where you are to get leave. After that you have the duty to perform of bringing your President to these waters, and then you will return to your own shores. And I hope in the sunshine, Avhich Admiral Rodman tells me ahvays shines there, yau will not forget your comrades of the Mist and your pleasant associations of the North Sea. This is a queer place, as you found, but you Avere not the first tp find it out. There was a great explorer, Marco Polo, who, after travelling over the Avorld for 30 years, one day found himself in the North Sea and then went fliome and went to bed and did not travel any more. I trust it wall not have the same effect on any of you, but I can say that those of you whom I have seen during the last tAvelve months seem to have improved in many -ways if it is posible. and I think the North Sea has a health giving quality which must he put against all the bad points, of which it has so many. "I thank you again, again, and again for the great part the Sixth Battle Squadron ha played in bringing about the greatest naval victory in history. I hope you will givVT this message to your comrades. 'Come back soon.' Good bye and good luck"