Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-10

Americans expected, self contained,
self-satished, but, instead, we have
discovered behind the she'll which ex-
tends around most Englishmen good
while. l believe.- at the same time
they have corrected in their minds
their old mistake of thinking us
nation given principally to loud talk
and bragg
II have been delighted by the way
in which the British admiral, Beatty,
comments with the highest, even
with surprised satisfaction. upon the
fact that the ships of any foreign
navy have been able to fall in line
with those of Britain and pull with
them in perfect harmony as ours have
done.
This perfection of coordination
has existed from the start 1t began
with the arrival of the first American
destroyers and it has continued with
efficiency continually increasing.
TO us 1t has been splendid educa-
navy has not been less than wonder
full and has meant the preservation of
the world. The war would have been
ended In its first grim year, would have
been ended In way to put the world
back for century, had it not been for
amazing elasticity. its extraordinary
pansion in all sorts of new directions
without hampering its complete effec-
tiveness upon any of the older lines of
sea endeavor. 1t has been and is
marvel service.
Our cooperation with the French
has been as perfect although, Of course.
not so extensive. having been confined
mostly to anti-subfnarine work on the
coasts, mine-sweeping and convoy
work. Admiral Wilson. in command
A ri pov N, In,
French waters, has nothing but the
highest praise Of every one he meets
there as friend. We have given to
the French as much as we could spare
-mine-sweepers, destroyers, tugs,
gunboats. yachts and chasers, some
of these having been transferred fully
to the French authorities. and their
appreciation has been more than we
expected or deserved.
Our operation in Italian waters
has not been less satisfactory. At
DurasAo. when our craft went in with
and the enemy know well that 1T was
most effective"
* X
asked Admiral Mayo how it had
come about that the American had
been able to enter new game so
quickly and to do so we'll.
"The spirit Of our men made that
a possibility as it makes all things
possible to u.s." he answered.
"As rule the American sailor is
very we'll informed with regard to
the wars causes, therefore he is we'll
informed as to the grim necessity
for winning it, therefore he is anx-
iOus to cooperate in every way with
men who are his fighting mates. This
Is true of common seamen as we'll as
of the admirals, for it Is true of the
American people as a whole.
1.-THE youngsters who are joining
our ships now are of the nations very
best. They know why they are fight
on till the great job of the war Is
finished once for all-and finished
right.
Among those Of the fleet retained
on our home coast there Is bitter dis
appointment that they have not been
able to get into the actual fighting.
but they are game to stay out Of such
work II by so doing they can help to
win the war, although 1t must be very
hard for them to realize that they are
doing big bit by sticking where they
are and achieving nothing more war
like than hard drill in the course of
general patrol work.
Neither the Navy nor the nation
appreciated the magnitude of the great
task which entrance into the vast war
entailed. The Navy has expanded be-
yond recognition: 1t has grown to
something like eight times It's old
dimensions. or course. this has meant
very many things besides the manning