NAVAL GALLANTRY

Evening Star, Issue 18332, 20 July 1923, Page 9

NAVAL GALLANTRY

FRENCH TRIBUTE TO BRITISH. Prior to the oruiso of the French mission under Admiral Giliy, another mission was sent last year to South America, wider General Mangin, a personality undoubtedly familiar to all military circles in this country (safs the ‘Ago’). Two days out from Valparaiso, the Jules Michelet, with the mission on board, came on the spot where the Battle of Coronal took place, and here aro the terms in which General Mangin describes the homage paid in memory of the gallantry displayed by the British Haw on that occasion:

. . are now off the coast of Ccrontl, where, on November 1, 1914, live light British cruisers met an equal number of Gorman ships, thb latter capable of firing a much heavier broadside. The -Matolots of tho Jules Michelet took up arms to pay homage to tho heroism displayed by iheir British comrades. On land, such witnesses as villages, hills, or streams may remain; often do cemeteries and crosses stand, scattered or dense, according to tho fierceness of tho tight. Nothing of the kind at sea, for sky and clouds have no fixity, and arc constantly subject to change. Notwithstanding the disproportion of forces, the British admiral gave the order to attack because it is imperative to get a hold on tho enemy and prevent him from carrying on his depredations. The admiral’s judg ment is well founded, for, even should lie fait, is not there tho whole English fleet to back him—that Hoot that can oppose, throe, five, ten of her ships to one Goman, and must ensure the command of the sea in order to safeguard all the communications of the Allies. Wo see the uneven light beginning at tho end of tho day and going on in spite of a furious sea, more harmful to the British slops, on which the accuracy of the guns is hampered by their smaller tonnage. The Good Hope, disabled, goes down witu Hying colors. The Monmouth is grounded, ana the three remaining cruisers cannot carry on this uneven fight Ou December 8 Admiral Sturdco will avenge that glorious defeat and destroy the whole of the Gorman fleet in tho Falkland waters. Tho band of the Jules .Michelet plays ‘God have the King,’, the crew presents arms, and the French’ ling gives a long salute.