The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-23
BARON FISHER SENDS
MESSAGE OF CHEER
First Lord of Admiralty Conf
dent of Neutrality of United
States.
BY ED. L. KEEN.

LONDON, Dec. C3.-England's hope of
Christmas cheer for humanity rests
upon the hope that Americas Sympa-
thies are hers.
This is the declaration of Baron John
Arbuthnot Fisher, first lord of the
British admiralty. The man upon whom
rests Great BTitain's confidence in her
naval supremacy, and who succeeded
Prince LOUIS OF Battenburg as first
sea lord. made his first statement since
assuming command of all Britain ma
val forces to the United Press today.
He was one of a number Of leading
British officials whom the United Press
asked to comment on what Christmas
will bring TO England
Baron Fisher has this immediate
reply TO your telegram, this moment
received at midnight" the sea lord
wrote Yes, he has very close bonds
with thel United StRtes-in his do
nestle relations and his friendsh pS.
lie happily possesses an American
daughter-in-law and she is none the
worse Tor her name at birth being
Morgan and Philadelphia her home.
Baron Fisher has to Say-he is
compelled TO say-that the hope and
good cheer that the Chr .stmas spirit
may bring humanity almost solely
depends upon a hundred million of
Christian men and women in Ameri-
Ca-and the realization of this hun
dred million OF what neutrality"
means.
That word neutrality comes frozen
on the frozen spray.
so I ask these hundred millions in
the United States to read William Wat
sons poem to America concerning Eng
land. 1t Is:
" Art thou her child, born in the proud
midday
OF her large souls abundance and ex-
CeSS4
Her daughter and her mightiest hertz
ress;
lowered with her thoughts. and lit on
By her great lamps that shine and
tail not? Yea,
And at this thunderous hour OF struggle
and stress,
Hitler across the ocean wilderness.
What word comes frozen on the frozen
Neutrality! The tiger from his den
Springs at thy mothers throat! And
canst thou now
Watch with a strangers gaze? So be
Thy loss is more than hers-for bruised
and torn
She shall yet live without thine aid; and
thou
Without the crown divine thou mightst
have worm "
Baron Fisher f. the man who made
the dreadnaughts. He is the bulldog of
the British admiralty. He was first
lord of the admiralty between 1894 and
$40, when England reyolutionized naval
construction by inventing the aII-big
gun dreadnaughts. Baron Fisher shout
dered the professional responsibility
for the adopting of the new type of
warship and astonished the naval
world by having the original dread
naught ready for battle eleven months
afre- the keel had been laid down. He
followed this up by reorganizing the
Pc sonnet of the navy, and by With
drawing ships from the Mediterranean
to increase England's naval preponder-
ance outside Germany's door.
From Canadian Official
Another appeal for American sympa-
thy was voiced by George H. PerIey.
acting high commissioner for Canada.
Christmas" he wrote, finds Us in
the middle Of the period of lnosr vital
Importance 10 our race. We Canadians
are keenly. actively interested be-
cause We believe Germany'5 defeat Is
necessary to our safety. and would be
of general benefit.
Canada and the United States have
the same hopes. the same aspirations.
Although having a boundary line 500
miles in length. II is without fortifica-
lions Of any kind. America and Canada
have lived side by side for a hundred