THE NAVY'S TRIUMPH.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1918, Page 7

THE NAVY'S TRIUMPH.

, SOffivES AT THE SURRENDER. GERMAN FLEET'S SHAME. Describing the surrender of the Germen fleet, the Hpecial correspondent of the London Daily l Telegraph wrote: Each big German ship carried representatives of the Workmen and Soldiers' Council. The British vessels went in single line ahead to the rendezvous, and light cruisers, followed by destroyers in five groups, with subsidiary craft in attendance. Our unparalleled display of sea power embraced five squadrons of battleships, two battle-cruiser squadrons and eight destroyer flotillas. When the Seydlitz and Moltke loomed up out of the litue the British warships had already taken up their allotted positions. The famous Lion was in the van of the leadjng northern line of battle-cnfis-era, while Admiral Halsev, in the Australia, took tip a southerly position abreast of the Lion. There the premier fighting ship of war had the position of honor, and the name of one of the great Dominions received the compliment due to the prowess of her sons. The northern line of battleships which followed was led by the Queen Elizabeth, while the Revenge headed the southern line. The whole affair was devoid of ceremonial. There was no saluting, and an absence of the customary, courtesies of the sea. There was a curious mixture of nonchalance and sadness noticeable amongst the officers and men of the Lion. Those off duty seemed more in-

, terested in the football on- the lower deck than watching the downfall of the enemy. Their feeling was "I am hanged if I like it. Why the devil did they not put up a fight? Fancy, having given up their ships! It makes one shudder to think what those poor devils are feeling if they have any sea sense loft." When the vessels were moored an inspection was made to see that they had been given up in accordance with the conditions, and guardahipa were placed over them. As the surrendered ships entered the Firth of Forth the river <ca3 alive with small craft crowded with spectators, but . there was an entire absence of demonstrations. When the memorable epwtacle ended with the mooring of our own Bhips said those of our foea, Admiral Sir David Beatiy sent from his flagship a inessage to the whole Grand Fleet as' follows: "It is my intention,to hold a. service of thanksgiving at six o'clock this evening for the victory which God vouchsafed to our arms. Every ship is recommended to do the same," The Allied fleet taking part in the proceedings consisted of over a thousand vessels. There were several Australian military officers on board the New Zealand, while representatives of the New Zealand land forces were on board the Australia. The Sydney a brave figure amongst the fine muster Of light cruiser squadrons. After the German flag had been iiau3ed down, all hands on the Queen liliMibeth assembled aft and gave a deafening response to the call for cheers for the Commander-in-Chief. In acknowledging the : cheers, Sir David Beatty said:—"Thank you. I always told you that they would have to come out." Subsequently Sir David Beatty sent the following message' of congra tulation to the flag officers, captains, officers and men of the Grand Fleet:— "The greatness of the victory is In no way lessened by the fact that the final episode did not take the form of A fleet action. The enemy lias driven testimony to the prestige and efficiency of a fleet without parallel in history. This testimony has been accorded by those in the best position to judge." Prior to the surrender of the German fleet the British Naval Commander-in-Chief (Admiral Beatty), in orncrs to the British fleet, said:— "In dealing with Germany, while courtesy is obligatory, we must not forget the methods with which the enemy has waged war. No international compliments must be paid, and all conversation with enemy officers and men, ecxept. on business, is forbidden." ON THE AUSTRALIA. The special correspondent Of the Australian Press Association wrote:— I witnessed the surrender of the Gorman vessels from the bp-ttle-erulser Australia, which acted as the flagship of the second British battle-cruiser squadron, comprising also the New Zealand, the Indomitable and the Inflexible. The Australia Hew for the first time the white ensign of silk presented by the Royal Society of St. Qeonge, and also flew the Australian flag from the jack-staff for the first time since the war began. The cruiser Melbourne and ; Sydney also flew the Australian flag. [ There were a number of Australians on board the Australia, including General Rosenthal and Lieutenant-Colonel Somerville, and also a dozen Australian soldiers who were on board the ship on Tuesday and asked to be allowed to remain to see the "show." Admiral Hal' sey willingly consented to this. Another interesting guest was Captain Brandon, who was imprisoned in a German fortress for several years as a spy, and was released on the occasion of' the coronation of His Majesty King George. He iB now on 'board as an in'

terpreter. Tho Australia had the honor of leading the heavy ahips out of harbor after a hundred destroyers and several squadtons of light cruisers had gone out, The Germans entered between the British lines, led by the British cruiser Cardiff, which was towing a kite baloou, while numerous airships hovered in a row overhead. When' the German ship Seydlitz was abreast of the Australia the British squadrons each turned 180 ~ deg. outwards in succession, and the Australia kept abreast of the Hindenburg, the German vessel which she had i been specially deputed to look after. i The fleets finally dropped anchor at , two o'clock. The Germans were m <lv* i lines heading up the Firth of Forth, i surrounded on all sides by British < battleships, battle-cruisers, cruisers and ( destroyers. The Australia's position , was at the north-east corner of the | square, with the New Zealand next to her. 1 After the anchors had been dropped ] we sent a boarding party, comprising- ' a commander and gunnery, torpedo, | navijrating and engineer officers, and a ( couple of signalmen, unarmed, to see . that tho Hindenburg was unarmed, j They returned three hours later and re- , ported that they found no signs of ammunition or firearms, and that the breeches had been removed from the guns and left at Wilhelmshaven. The.v ( described the attitude of the Germans , as depressed and sulky.. No attempt j j was made to fraternise. „ . 1 file dramatic moment of The Day ,