CLOSER RELATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10136, 26 November 1918, Page 5

CLOSER RELATIONS

BETWEEN BRITISH'AND y.s. NAVIES SUGGESTION BY THE KING. By Telegraph—Press Association— Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, November 26. The "New Y'ork World's" London correspondent states: When the German fleet surrendered I was a guest aboard Admiral Hodman's flagship, the Now York, which was visited by Kmg George and the Prince of Wales. Admiral Sims, Admiral Beatty, and Admiral Rodman pointed out to King George the Royal Ensign flying on the mainmast above the Stars, and Stripes for the first time in history. Tho King said: "Closer relations must bo kept up in future between the two navies. Wo must attach a battle squadron each year to your fleet, and you must return the compliment." Three cheers were given for the King, which wero followed by tho National Anthem, tho King and the Prince of Wales standing to the salute. GOMES BNTOJIS OWN BELGIAN KING -RETURNS TO BRUSSELS.Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association LtNDON, November 23. Mr Percy Phillips, describing King Albert's triumphant entry into Brussels, says: Tho city evinced an overwhelming enthusiasm. Cheering resounded, all day long, and the crowded streets were impassable. King Albert, wearing the lihaki uniform of a field-marshal, rode at the head of a brilliant cavalcade, including the Queen, the English Prince Albert, the Crown Prince of Belgium, and a brilliant group of officers representing the Allies. Tho King received an address of welcome from Parliament House, and watched the march past of the Allied troops. LONDON, November 24. A Belgian communique states: We have reached the line of Loniniel, Bourg-Leopold, Diest. INTENSE ENTHUSIASM IN CAPITAL. (Received November 25. 8.20 p.m.) BRUSSELS. November 24. Intense enthusiasm marked the King's triumphal return. The city was brilliantly lighted. Thousands of Allied soldiers participated. The King, in a speech from the throne, foreshadowed equal universal suffrage. (Belgium in future would enjoy coin date independence. CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS HOW THEY WERE MAINTAINED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 23. It is now permitted to say that tho cross-Channel train ferry service was of enormous advantage in forwarding urgent replacements of guns, tanks, etc., during the German March offensive. It is probably not an exaggeration to say that this alone justified the whole outlay. A regular service was maintained between Richborough and Calais or Dunkirk, and between Southampton and Dieppe, by three twin-screw steamers, 363 ft long, 61ft broad, and with a draught of 10ft, and with a speed of 12 knots. Each was provided with four lines of rail track, carrying 54 ten-ton wagons. Tho whole scheme was carried out by military labour. CERMAN NAVAL STATUS REDUCED TO THAT OF A FIFTHRATE POWER. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. LONDON, November 23. It is estimated that the ships surrendered cost considerably over fifty millions sterling. The German naval status is now that of a fifth-rate Power. Tho Allied Fleet consisted of over a, thousand vessels: Several Australian military officers were aboard H.M.S. New Zealand, while representatives of the New Zealand forces were aboard H.M.S. Australia. . The boarding parties described tjie German attitude as depressed and sulky, with no attempt to fraternise. Tho mess decks wero very dirty. Apparently discipline had ended. Several men of the crew, wearing white armlets, took an officious part in the proceedings. Apparently they wore members of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Councils. Tho New Zealand's boarding party report a similar state of affairs on the Derfflinger, which they aro looking after. Admiral Beatty has sent Admiral Montague Browning to Germany to supervise tho disarming of the remainder of the fleet. It is expected that tho inspection of the German ships in the Firth of Forth will take some days. Tho German crews will remain until tho ships roach Scapa Flow Fifty-nino submarines thus far have surrendered. STARVED BY HUNS EIGHT HUNDRED BRITISH PRISONERS. Australian arid N.Z. Oablo Association. (Received November 25. 7.50 p m ) LONDON. November 24. lho 'East Lancashires discovered at Hamont the graves of 800 British prisoners who were starved to death hv the Germans. J