GERMANS GIVEN THE LIE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2789, 6 June 1916, Page 6

GERMANS GIVEN THE LIE

? SIR RIDER HAGGARD ON THE BATTLE. A short reference to tho great naval battle. was made by Sir Rider Haggard during the course of his speech at the civic reception given him yesterday. "Sir," said the visitor, "I know the coast where tho battle was fought a few days ago, and it is not very difficult' for me to imagino the scene—a rough misty sea and a low coast-line; the appearand of the British torpedo-boats tempting tho German Sleet out; and then the desperate fray fought throughout tho misty afternoon, and through the darkness of tho night, with sinking ships on both sides, an unequalled valour on lioth sides, and finally the udvanco of our great battleships and tho flight of the foe, leaving the sea strewn with wreckage and the dead.

"The Germans claim it as a victory. It is a lie I (Applause.) Do victorious fleets flee as hard as they can steam back to their mine-fields and harbours? By that fact and act we know it is a lie! (Applause.) As the cuttle-fish obscures its retreat by throwing out ink around, so Germany obscures its retreat in the ink of lies. ''(Applause.) No, sir, _ although our squadron met the full weight of Germany's fleet, yet we are able to write 'Victory' on our banners. (Applause.) The enemy fled after losing equally with our own fleet. I say, for old England and tho Empire, that after a terrible battle we secured a victory, and for our dead un immortal wreath of glory!" (Applause.)