Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-16
DANIELS GIVES SIGNAL
THAT STARTS VESSEL
Commander Thieriohens Joins in
Demonstration. and His Ship, the
Eitel, Whistles Loudly.
MIGHTIEsT SHIP IN WORLD
Giant Slides Into James River at
Newport News as Prayer
Is Uttered That She Be
Peace Messenger.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. March 16.--
The United States dreadnausht Penn
sylvania, the largest engine of naval
warfare in the world, was successfully
launched here today, with a prayer that
she might prove messenger of peace
rather than a weapon of destruction.
Christened by Miss Elizabeth Kolb
Of Germantown. Pa, as Secretary Dan
iels of the navy gave the signal for
the launching, the efifteen-thousand-to ton
hulk slid steadily from the ways into
the historic James river The swell in
the river. which rose In huge proper
tions as the hull struck the water,
tossed the ship of nation now at war
the German converted cruiser Prinz
Eitel Friedrich. docked less than a
hundred yards away.
One of the notable incidents Of the
occasion was the presence In the
Iaunchlng grandstand OF Commander
Max Ihierichens of the sea raider
which but a few days ago had sunk an
American merchant ship in the sout h
Atlantic ocean and had put into an
American port of refuge to escape de-
struction at the hands Of her enemies.
Woman Heck1es Thierichens.
form arrived on the launching platform
early and mingled jovially with Ameri-
can naval officers throughout the cere-
mony. A gray-haired old lady ap-
preached the German commander as he
stood under the towering bow Of the
Pennsylvania and grasped him by his
gloved hand. She was Mrs. NJ. +.
Thomas Of Beacon, N r, a member Of
the Society OF Friends. -
Commander" she said IT belong to a
society which believes that all persons
should love others az much as them
selves. % you in Germany love US as
much as you love yourselves?''
The sun Drowned sea raider, just
from a seven-month cruise Of mer-
chant marine destruction, smiled be-
nignly, but did not answer, as the
gray-haired lady clinging to his hand
continued:
Don't you believe that we will soon
have peace? Isn't it time you men
stopped killing each other?'
Madame" replied the German com
mander. I'VE all believe in peace, but
war for the peace of the world. After
this war there will be a long peace
But at the end of the long peace there
will come another war"
Rescued by Beatty.
At this juncture of the unusual Incl
dent. Admiral Beatty, Z. S. n, COM
mandant of the Norfolk navy yard,
beckoned to the German commander
and rescued him from the interview.
few minutes later. at exactly 1911
o'clock, the German naval officer join
ed with 10000 Americans in waving as
the new giant American dreadnaught
started on her slide into the sea. after
Episcopal Bishop Berry Of Pennsylvania
had read prayer for the welfare OF the
President and people of the United
States, the army and navy and the
peace Of the world.
In the launching stand, besides the
pretty young sponsor of the ship, who
successfully broke a bottle of wine
against the leviathan's bow. were Gov.
Brumbaugh and staff of Pennsylvania
and Secretary Daniels and staff. A
launching luncheon followed at Old
Point Comfort.
whistles from scores of vessels in the
river created a din as the Pennsyl-
vania foated out on the ways. and it
later was learned that the whistle of
the Eitel Friedrich had joined in the
welcome to the new ship by order of
Commander Thierichens.