THE SURRENDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1918, Page 6

THE SURRENDER.

GERMAN FLEET'S BLACK DAT.; i JFORSE THAN JUTLAND. London, Saturday. The special correspondent of The | Times, describing the surrender of the German fleet, says:— "Never has a pageant so majestically demonstrated the might of the British Navy. "Australia, Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand had their places in the spectacle. "For the last few days the. Grand Fleet has breathed a quickened and electric air in anticipation of the surrender. Aboard the Queen Elizabeth this has grown hourly as-messages have flashed hundreds of miles to and from the German High Sea Command. ".Early on Wednesday two orders from Admiral Beatty were posted in the wardrooms. They forbade fraternisation or international compliments, and said that any meals supplied the Germans must be served ap«t. " 'ln dealing with our late enemy,' they said, 'while courtesy is obligatory, the methods by which they waged war must not be forgotten.' "These orders were thoroughly in keeping with the attitude of the officers and men none of whom had the slightest compassion for the enemy. The Germans are still 'the Huns.' British officers have not forgotten how Germans officers rescued in the Heligoland battle in 1914 spat in the faces of their rescuers. "All night long the Queen Elizabeth Was in touch by wireless with the German Fleet, noting its progress towards the rendezvous. "When the Germans wore 70 miles distant the British Fleet slipped silently to sea, ship following ship in an. ominous and awe-inspiring procession, black shapes, indistinctly silhouetted against the black sky. "At 8.30 the destroyers sighted the German Fleet. An hour later the}' emerged from the. murk. Coming abreast of the Germans the mighty British vessels turned by squadrons wheeling on their own track, and retaining their positions on both sides of the Germans to escort them back to the anchorage. In the ordered array, flotilla after flotilla moved across the sea, the Germans completely encased by the British, covering such a vast area that the head and tail of the columns was invisible in the haze. The eyes could not count them. After the Germans anchored in the appointed anchorage off May Island, the main body of the Grand Fleet steamed back to the morning's anchorage.

At 4 a bugle rang out, making "sunset." The German flap; wan hauled clown in accordance with Admiral Beatty's signal, and the Queen Elizabeth's crew piped aft and saluted the flag, ■with spontaneous cheers for Admiral Beatty, who said: "Thank you! I hayo always told you that they would have to come out." The captured ships will go to Scapaflow on Saturday, strongly escorted, and there will remain until the peace treaty decides their fate. Mr Wilson, ' correspondent of the Daily Mail, writes:— "All night long the officers and men of the Grand Fleet speculated whether the German Fleet would try a last stroke and perish in smoke rather than submit to ignoble surrender. Every precaution was taken against surprise. We were ready for any treachery. "As we weighed anchor at 3 a.m. the battle .squadron was leading the line out to sea. The night was fine and mistless. "Through the black, still water British and American warships steamed at 12 knots to the rendezvous, and there dawned the most wonderful day in naval history. "The Germans were late. At about S o'clock they were signalled 40 miles off. ''We turned and steamed west, retracing our course to kill time. "At 8.30 we went to 'action station.' All the guns were manned ready. Not a soul was visible, but in the turrets at their battle-stations men laid in waiting, awake, with their whole machinery of destruction and death. "Overhead passed in quick succession British airships and aeroplanes flying I low to meet (he Germans. "They sighted the enemy fleet at 0.30 o'clock. All glasses were turned on the Germans.

"Was it peace or war, We faced one of the tremendous moments of history, like when Caesar crossed the Rubieon and changed the destinies of the world. It was peace. "Slowly speeding—perhaps 10 or 11 knots—the Germans came on down the great line of warships which were waiting to escort them. ' They were led Iry the British cruiser Cardiff, and behind «urie the Scydlitz and other battlecmisers in admirable order. "Keeping perfect time and flying the German flag for the last time, silently and. dejectedly they came on, .without salutes and without dipping of flags. "Behind the battle cruisers came the battleships—nine magnificent vessels, with the Friedrieh der Grosse carrying the rear-admiral's flag. "The procession was funereal in solemnity. "Next came a Beatty signal, as we neared the anchorage, stating: 'The Grand Fleet met at 0.30 this morning five battle-cruisers, and 4ft destroyers of the High' Sea Fleet, which surrendered for internment, and are being brought to the Firth of Forth.' "Admiral Beatty again signalled at 11.4 o'clock:- "The German flag will he hauled down at sunset to-day, and will not be hoisted again without permission.'

"The Fleet's return to the Firth oi' Forth with its prizes was the most splendid spectacle the mind can imagine. Miles of lines, of British ships. crossed the sea, moving, with exquisite precision,, the paint and hrasswork sparkling in the sun, the glorious White Ensign flying, signalmen busy, and with rainbow hoists of signal flags. "The shepherded German vessels looked shabby by' comparison. Officers and men who lined the decks watched us with every mark of depression. "The ships of the first battle squadron cheered Admiral Beatty, who stood on the immense Queen Elizabeth waving his hand. "At sunset the Admiral finally signalled i 'lt is mv intention to hold a service of thanksgiving at 0 o'clock for the victorv Almighty God has vouchsafed His Majesty's arms, Everv ship is recommended to do the same.'" In a leading article yesterday under ,the toadtog of "Xbe Day," tie-fltues •Mil-* /

"Wednesday witnessed a scene such as the world had not before seen. For the Kirst time in history a great fleet put to sea and surrendered at the bidding of a victorious enemy. "It was the measure of Germany's subjugation and the measure of Britain's triumph on the seas, and was not imposed from vain ostentation or a desire to humiliate. Our cause is too great, and our self-respect too strong for that. The surrender reduces Germany to a fifth-rate naval powei\ Had her sailors fought with clean hands we would have pitied an enemy undergoing a degradation so overwhelming, but the navy which manned the U-boats and waged war on women and hospital ships have cut themselves off from sympathy. Yesterday they were made to feel that they stand outside the eluval- -| ry of the sea. There were special rejoicings at the presence of the Dominions' war boats at yesterday's great triumph." The leader echoes the King's words that it was the British Fleet which enabled us to win the war, and it was therefore, meet that the Fleet should provide the most spectacular proof of our triumph. While the eyes of the world were rivetted upon the armies, it was the fleet's trying lot to do their grim work in the shadow. They carried out feats more exacting than had ever before befallen to the lot of any navy, and which were only accomplished by the ceaseless vigilance, supreme seamanship and sustained courage of our sailors. . All'rank had shown that the blood of Nelson's heroes runs warm in their veins. Seldom has human greatness suffered a more terrible fall than the former Kaiser's naval ambitions.