The L'Anse sentinel., 1917-05-26

operate with our naval forces In The
prosecution Of the war" is the text OF
the official statement.
Rear Admiral Sims, u. S. ", who Is
ln general command Of all the United
European waters. Is In daily touch
with the chief of the British naval
stan.
The admiralty announcement says
the services which the American ves-
sells are rendering Ia the allied cause
are OF the greatest value and are APP
preciated deeply.
Adnirals Exchange Greeting.
Messages of greeting were ex-
changed between Admiral Sir David
Beatty, commanding the British grand
fleet, and Admiral Mayo, commander
Of the American Atlantic fleet.
"The grand fleet rejoices that the
Atlantic feet now shares the task OF
preserving the liberties Of the world
and maintenance of chivalry ON the
seas" Beatty's message TO Mayo
stated.
In reply, Admiral Mayo said: "The
Atlantic fleet appreciates your mes
sage and welcomes the opportunity to
work with the British for freedom Of
the seas
After the exchange of shore greet
ings and the British commander had
congratulated the American officers on
their safe voyage. he asked:
"When will you be ready for busi-
nessf"
I'VE are ready 10 start nj once" the
American commander replied promptly
This response so characteristically
American, surprised the British com
mander, who said he had not expected
the Americans would be ready TO be.
gin work on this side so soon after
thcIr long voyage. He made short
tour Of the destroyers and admitted
that the American tars looked pre-
pared.
Yes" replied the American com
mnnder. "we made preparations on the
way over. That Is why we are ready
The American navy's actual entry
into the war zone has already beer
productive of n brush between de
stroyer and German underwater
boat, according TO an announcement
by the British admiralty, but the re
suit Of II has not been made public.
The destroyer squadron arrived here
and almost Immediately put to sei
again for the hard work that Is before
II.
Crowds Greet Yankees.
A crowd Of several hundred persons
some Of them carrying tiny American
flags, lined the water front and cheeret
the destroyers from the moment the,
first sighted the fl0tillay until II reached
the dock. 49,
One of the American destroyers be
gan war duty even before reaching this
side of the Atlantic. This was when I,
picked up and escorted through the
danger zone one of the largest Of tn.
Atlantic liners. This action so pleased
the passengers on board that they sent
n message Of greeting and appreciation
to the commander Of the destroyer
The message read:
British passengers on board q
steamer bound for a British port, un
der the protection Of an American tor
pedo destroyer send their hearty
greetings to her commander and her
officers and crew, and desire TO ex.
press their keen appreciation Of this
practical cooperation between the gov,
ernment and peoples of the United
States and the British empire. who are
now fighting together for the freedom
Of the seas"
On arriving In Queenstown some OF
the members of the crews of the de.
stroyers were granted brief shore
leave. They were fairly made captives
by the townspeople, who insisted OF
taking them to their homes.
Details Are Withheld.
Washington, May 17.-Dispatch OF
American destroyers to British waters
has been known in the "inner circles
OF affairs In Washington for some
time, but publication of the fact has
been withheld under the voluntary
censorship at the request of the navy
department.
No announcements of the exact po-
sitions Of the ships, their names or
their number will be made. It is OBJ
'vious that they will work in co-opera-
ton with other warships Of the grand
alliance In regular naval duty In the
war zone.
The destroyer fotilla is Americas
first contribution of military power to
the alliance against Germany. For
military reasons very little can be said
.about II.
Z When the British admiralty's an
nouncement was received the navy de-
ipartment officials confirmed the pres
,ence of the American ships In the war
zone, but made public no other infor-
:mation.