"COMRADES OF THE MIST"

Evening Star, Issue 16987, 8 March 1919, Page 3

"COMRADES OF THE MIST"

BFATTY'S FAREWELL TO THE UNITED STATES NAVY. Admiral Sir David Beatty gavo a farewell address to tlw American squadron on its departure from tho Grand Fleet. S-peaking to all liands mustered in the fo'castlo. of tho ] U.S.B. Nov l T ork, be said: "I could not let tho Sixth Baltic Squadron go without coming en board the New York and saying something of what I fool at this mermenb of your departure-,. I had intended to ask Admiral Rodman to permit ma to say something to the representatives of all ships of tho Sixth 'Battle Squadron on board hia flagship, but the. exigencies of the service did not permit me. Therefore, as Admiral Rtxlnnn ha? «i ; d, what t say to you I hops you will promulgate to your comrades in other ships and also to your comrades of tho Atlantic- fleet. " What I say, I hope you will understand, comes from the heart—net only my heart, but also tho hearts of your comrades of the Grand Fleet. I want "first of all to thank you, Admiral Rodman, the captains, officers, ant ships' companies of this magnificent squadron, for the wonderful 00-opere.tion and loyalty you liave given mo and my adtndrals, and the assistance you have given us in evory duty you bad to undertake. •' The support which you have shown is that, of true comradeship, and in time of stress that is worth a very groat deal. As somebody said tho other day: ' Fighting is now over; talking is now going to begin.' Therefore I do not want to keep you here any kmger, but I want to congratulate you for having been present upon a day unsurpassed in the naval annals of the world. "A PITIFUL DAY.* "I know quite well that you, as well as oil your British comrades, were bitterly disappointed at not being able to give effect to that efficiency you have so well maintained. It wa<s a most disappointing day. It was a pitiful day to see those great ships coming in like sheep being horded by dogs to tlieir fold, without an effort 011 anybody's part; but it was a day everybody could be proud of. I have received messages from several people, offering sympathy to the Grand Fleet, and my answer was : ' "Wo do not want sympathy; wo want recognition of the fact that tho prestige of the Grand Fleet stood so high that it was sufficient to cause tho enemy to surrender without striking a blow.' I had always certain misgivings, and when the Sixth Battie Squadron became part of the Grand Fleet those almsgivings were doubly strengthened, and I knew then they (tho Huns) would throw up their liands. Apparently the Sixth Battle Squadron was the straw that broke the camel's back. However, the disappointment that the Grand Fleet was unable to strike their blow for tho freedom of tho world is counteracted by tho fact that it was their prestige a'.ouc that brought about this achievement. During the last 12 months you have been with us we have learned to know each other very well. Wo have learned to respect each other. I want you to take back a message to the 1 Atlantic Fleet that you have left a very ' warm place in the hearts of the Grand Fleet, ' which cannot bo filkd until you come back or send another squadron to represent you. You have given us o .sample of the Atlantic . Fleet which I think will try the Atlantic I Fleet, efficient as it is, very hard 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, aud then you will return to your own shores. And I hope that in the sunshine which Admiral Rodman tells me always shines there you won't forget your 'comrades of the mist' ajwl yovtr pteo.3o.rLt associations o£ -fche ]^ortk Sea. QUEER. NORTH SEA. " Thia is a queer, place, as you found; but you were not, the first to find it out. There was a great, explorer, Marco Po'.o, who, after travelling over the world for 30 years, one day found himself in the North Sea, and then went homo and went to bed, aud did not travel any more. I trust it will not bsive the came effect on any of you; but I can Bay those of you I have seen during the last 12 months seem to have improved in many ways, if it were possible, and I think the North Sea has a health-giving quality which must be put against all rts bad points, of which there are ao many. I thank you again and again for the groat part the Sixth Battle Squadron Las played in bringing about the greatest naval victory in history. I hope you will give this ni-essaga to your comrades : ' Gome back soon.' Good-bye, and £ood luck."