BUTTY'S REGRET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12569, 5 March 1919, Page 7

BUTTY'S REGRET.

FAREWELL TO AMERICAN SQUADRON. SORRY THERE WAS NO FIGHT. On the deck of the United States battleship Now "York, Sir David Beatty addressed the officers and men of the Sixth American Battle Squadron before it loft the Grand Fleet. Sir David Beatty said: —I could not lot the Sixth Battle Squadron go without saying something of what 1 feel at this moment of your departure, and what I soy to you I hope you will promulgate to your comrades in other ships. What I. say I hope you will understand comes from the heart, not only my heart, but the hearts of your comrades of the Grand Fleet. I want first of all to thank you, Admiral Rodman, the captains, officers, and ships’ companies of this magnificent Squadron, for the wonderful co-opeiw tion and loyalty you have given me and my admirals, and the assistance you have given ns in every duty you had to undertake. The support which you have shown is that of true comradeship, and in lime of stress that is worth a very great deal. A PITIFUL DAY. As somebody said the other day, “ Fighting now over; talking now going to begin.” Therefore I do not want to keep you hero any longer ; but want to congratulate you for having been present upon a day unsurpassed in the naval annals of the world. I know quite well that you, as well as your' British comrades, were bitterly disappointed at not being able to give effect to that efficiency you have so well maintained. , It was a most disappointing day. It was a pitiful day to see those great ships coming in like sheep being herded by doge to their fold without effort on 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. W T e want recognition of the fact that the prestige of the Grand Fleet stood so high, it was sufficient to cause the enemy to surrender without striking a blow.” I had always certain' misgivings, and when the Sixth Battle Squadron became part of the Grand Fleet those misgivings were doubly strengthened, and I know' then they would throw up their hands- 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 1 - their blow for the freedom of the world is counteracted hv tho fact it was their prestige alone that brought about this achievement. During the last twelve months you have been with us we have learned to know each other very well. Wo learned to respect each other. I want you to take hack the message to the Atlantic Fleet that you have left a very warm place in tho hearts of the Grand Fleet, which cannot he filled until you come hack or send another squadron to represent von. COMRADES OF THE MIST. You have given us a sample of the Atlantic Fleet which I think will try the Atlantic 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 tho duty to perform of bringing your President to these water®, and then you will return to your own shores. And I hope that in the sunshine which Admiral .Rodman tells me always shines there, you wont forget your “comrades of tho mist” and your pleasant associations of tho North Sea. This is a. queer place, as you found, hut you arc not tho first to find that out. There was a great explorer, Marco Polo. who. after travelling over the world for thirty years, one day found himself in the North Sea., and then went homo to hod, and did not travel any more. I trust it will not have the same effect on any of yon. hut I can yay that those of yon I have seen during the last twelve months seem to ham improved in many ways, if that is possible, and! I think the North Sea has a health-giving onality which must he put against all the had points, of which there are so many. T thank yon again and'again for tho great pari the Sixth Battle Squadron has played in bringing about the greatest naval victory in history. I hone yon will give this message to your comrades, “Como hack soon.” Good-hyo and good luck.