BRITAIN AND HER FLEET

Wanganui Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15689, 14 December 1918, Page 5

BRITAIN AND HER FLEET

STATEMENT BY MR TAFT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association eceived December 14, 10.35 a.m. WASHINGTON, Decembre 13. At Philadelphia Mr Taft, in a statement, said; There is nothing in England’s position respecting thefleet that should discourage the friends of the League of Nations. Mr Churchill’s statement was for the purpose of politics. THE SURRENDER GERMAN FLEET’S BLACK DAY. WORSE THAN JUTLAND. The special correspondent of the Times, describing the surrender of the German fleet, says:— “Never has a pageant so majestically demonstrated the might of the British Navy. Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand had their places in ,the spectacle. “For the last few days the Grand Fleet has breathed a quickened and electrified air in anticipation of the surrender. Aboard the Queen Elizabeth this has grown hourly as messages have flashed hundreds of miles to and from the German High Sea Command. “Early on Wednesday two orders from Admiral Beatty were posted in the wardrooms. They forbade fraternisational or international compliments, and said that any meals supplied the Germans must be served apart. “ ‘ln dealing with our late enemy,’ they said, ‘while courtesy is obligatory, the methods by which they waged war must not be forgotten.’ “These orders were thoroughly in keeping with the attitude of the officers and men, none of whom had the slightest compassion for the enemy. The Germans are still ‘the Huns.’ British officers have not forgotten how German officers rescued in the Heligoland battle in 1914 spat in the faces of their rescuers. “All night long the Queen Elizabeth was in touch by wireless with the German fleet, noting its progress towards the rendezvous. “When the Germans were 70 miles distant the British Fleet slipped silently to sea, shrp following ship in an ominous and awe-inspiring procession, black shades, indistinctly silhouetted against the black sky. “At 8.30 the destroyers sighted the German fleet. An hour later they emerged from the murk. Coming abreast of the Germans the mighty British vessels turned by squadrons wheeling on their own tificks, and retaining their positions on both sides of the Germans to escort them back to the anchorage “In tho ordered array, flotilla after flotilla moved across the sea, tho Germans completely encased hy the British. covering such a vast area that the head and tail of the columns was invisible in the haze. The eye could not count them. After the Germans anchored in the appointed anchorage off May Island, the main body of the Grand 'Fleet steamed back to the morning’s anchorage.” At 4 a bugle rang out, making ‘sunset.” The German flag was hauled down in accordance with Admiral Beatty s signal, and tho Queen Elizabeth’s crew piped aft and saluted the flag, with spontaneous cheers for Admiral Beatty, who said, “Thank you! I have always told you that they would have to come out.” The captured ships will go to Scapaflow, strongly escorted, and there will remain until the peace treaty decides their fate. Mr Wilson, correspondent of the Daily Mail, writes: “All night long the officers and men of the Grand Fleet speculated whether the German Fleet would try a last stroke and perish in smoke rather than submit to ignoble surrender. Every precaution was taken against surprise. We were ready for any tyeacliery. “As we weighed anchor at 3 a.m., the battle squadron was leading the line out to sea. The night was fine and mistless. “Through the black, still water British and American warships steamed at 12 knots to the rendezvous, and there dawned the most wonderful day in naval history. “The Germans were late. At about 8 o’clock they were signalled 40 miles off. “We turned and steamed west, retracing our course to kill tyjie. “At 8 30 we went to ‘action stations.’ All the gun/s were manned ready. Not a soul was visible, but in the turrets at their battle stations men laid in waiting, awake, with their whole machinery of destruction and death. “Overhead passed in quick succession British airships and aeroplanes flying low to meet the Germans. “They sighted the enemy fleet at 9.30 o’clock, All glasses were turned on the Germans. “Was it peace or war? We faced of the tremendous momenta of history, like when Caesar faced the Rubicon, and changed the destinies of the world. It was peace. “Slowly speeding—perhaps 10 or 11 knots—the Germans came on down the great line of warships which wore waiting to escort them. They were led by tho British cruiser Cardiff, and behind came the Seydlitz and other battlecruisers in admirable order. “Keeping perfect time and flying the German flag for the last time, silently and dejectedly they cam© on, without salutes and without dipping of flags. “Behind tho battle cruisers came the battleships—nine magnificent vessels, with the Friedrich der Grosse carrying the rear-admiral’s flag. “The procession was funeral "n solemnity, “Next came a Beatty signal as ws neared the anchorage, stating: The Grand Fleet met at 9.30 o’clock this looming five battle-cruisers, nine batjieships, seven light cruisers, and 49 destroyers of the High Sea Fleet, which surrendered for internment, and are bo ing brought 'to the Firth of Forth.” “Admiral Beatty again signalled at 11.4 o’clock: ‘The German flag will be hauled down at sunset to-day, and will not be hoisted again without permission ’ “The fleet’s return to the Firth of Forth with its prizes was the most splendid spectacle the mind can imagine. Miles of lines of British ships crossed the sea, moving with exquisite precision, the paint and brasswork spark’d ag in the sun, the glorious White Ensign living, isignalmen busy, and with raffiboV hoists of signal flags. » “The shepherded German vessels looked shabby by comparison. Officers and men who lined the decks watched us with mark of depression. “The ships of the first battle squao ron cheered Admiral Beatty, who stood on the immense Queen Elizabeth waving his hand. “At sunset the Admir-a! finally signalled: Tt is :uy intention to hold a service of thanksgiving at 6 o’clock for