IN THE BALKANS.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 3001, 24 July 1916, Page 4

IN THE BALKANS.

THE FEAT' OE A SUBMARINE

DECORATED BY THE TSAR

Lieut.-Commander E. N. A. Cronrie, who wa.s personally decorated by the Emperor of Russia with the Cross of St. George for his services in the Baltic, having previously received the Order of St. lsidinnr with swords has written to his mother oil his recent ion by his Imperial Majesty. Another British naval oilicer also received the Order of St. George, and live of Lieut.-Commander Croinie's men were awarded the Silver Cross. In the course of his letter he says the visit of the Emperor to inspect the fortifications and submarines was a pleasant surprise. He continues : — We did another I-jOO miles this last trip. I went to bed for the first two days out with "Hue," and .so directed operations from my bunk. We met a German submarine, and had to (live in. a hurry, and found ourselves down at 140 ft "before I could get out of bed to take charge. The third day we found a lot of "wood" outside neutral waters, and after a .short' chase we made a lovely bonfire, being unable to sink the .stulf. The "inhabitants" left hurriedly, leaving a small puppy dog, which we rescued, lis father was a Great Dane, and its mother a pug. but. considering ,it is a "bun," it is not half bad, and is a great favourite. Nothing travels by daylight since our last raid ou the "hen run." so my .special haunt was very dull, and I gave it up after four days and tried another snot where I knew train ferries must pass. We had an exciting chase, but it was spoiled by two destroyers and a cruiser turning up. Guessing that they would come back again, I lay low. and, sure enough, I caught the Undine in the afternoon. Tho first shot stopped her and put her on lire but she lias not going down quickly enough, .so, avoiding the destroyer that was after us, I. dived under the Undine's stern and gav 0 her another from tho, side. • • • We arrived in—covered with ice.

The Emperor was very polite and nice, and said our work in tbe had made all the difference lo- the country. In the evening we "dined" with all tho kings and princes, etc., in tho train, which was a palatial affair. We sat down 28 at one (able, and still left room for waiting. Nearly all spoke English, and said all sorts of nice things, and I sneaked a menu card as a souvenir, but had not the cheek to ask for signatures.

Being a Chevalier of St. George, I am pretty safe, as no one can arrest nic without an armed escort and a band to take me to prison, and both of these are prelty scarce now. 1 think I told you that the other cross gave me the right to go into girls' schools and taste the food and express my opinion ! I only hope now that we shall not be at sea on November 25 (St. George's night), when all members of the order dine in tbe palace and take the plate home with them as souvenirs! . . .

It was a very hard frost during the Emperor's inspection, and all were very much surprised to .see us without greatcoats, but the cold is so dry hero that one does not feel it so long a.s one moves about. The place is lovely under snow, and .sledging is very pleasant, with all the bells going. Uiiforlunately it has now all gone and is raining hard.