The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-15
SIR ERICGEDDES
ASKS TORUSH
NEW WARCRAFT.
British Sea Lord at Pill
grims' Feast Tells Need
of More Destroyers.
BREADS AN EARLY PEACE
Graphic Description Of Allied
Sea Work in Stemming
Tide Of Aggression.

Sir Eric Geddes. head OF the British
Admiralty, declared that the submarine
menace was not yet ended, and urged
America to rush the construction of new
destroyers with all possible speed in a
speech at dinner given last evening by
the executive committee OF the Pilgrims
Society in tho grand ballroom of the
Ritx-Carlton Hotel. Referring to the
German proposals for an armistice Sir
Eric said he dreaded an early peace
moro than anything else"
Here In the United States we find a
Wholesale, colossal effort to do every
thing to win the war;" said he. your
draft was put through with a prompt
ness never excelled. II the United States
put as many men into the field pro rata
as has the British Empire II would
mean an army OF 100000. These l5,-
100000 are behind your President and
they'll so over the seas the moment they
are needed"
Referring to his visit to the Naval
Academy at Annapolis he said:
THE American naval officer is n mag
nihcent product OF magnificent estab-
} lishment. He 10 the pride Of your coun-
try and the pride Of our navy, and, I
abSufc yOu, All ODyeCt OF our envy.
Chauncey NJ. Depew presided at the
dinner. at which eighty were present.
A double toast was drunk standing to
the President and the King. while tho
orchestra played 1.-THE Star Spangled
Banner and the British national an
them. Mr.. Depew read to the diners a
part of President Wilson's reply to the
German peace proposals. which evoked
applause.
introduced by Mr.. Depew.
In introducing Sir Eric, Mr.. Depew
said he had accomplished what the Pill
srims stand for-the bringing about of
closer relations between the United
States and Great Britain.
mo crisis has been quite so critical as
that presented to the world to-day" Mr..
Depew said. The news that comes to
us at this table tonight has clarified the
atmosphere. It has relieved everybody
In this country and In the civilized
world. There is one term concerning
which there can be no confusion that Is
unconditional surrender"
One result OF the war. Mr.. Depew said,
would be the unity Of the British speak
ing people He paid n tribute to the
work Of the British navy in guarding
America before the United States went
into the war and In keeping open the
plies 70 Pershing.
Sir Eric Geddes said IN part:
1T Is great honor to me to be the
guest Of this world famous club tonight
and to partake with Admiral Dun and
the members Of the British Naval Mis-
sion OF its hospitality. Since 1t was
formed It has been a great factor in
drawing closer together the ties of
mutual interest which bind our two great
countries and II is with some trepida-
ton that I stand here tonight to ad-
dress this distinguished company. en-
bodytng as II does the will and desire
for international cordially and under
standing between the two great English
speaking peoples.
First, 1 would like TO add my testi-
mony TO the many true and Illuminating
things which have already been said
about the magnificent spirit and the
unanimity and inhexibility of purpose
shown by the Government and people of
the United States Words fail me to
express our admiration for what you are
doing for the wholehearted and colossal
effort you are making and for the spirit
Of willing self-sacrifice which you dis
play.
THE readiness with which you have
sacrificed your comfort and convenience
for the allied cause has struck us deep
~. For that we thank you.
Britain's Great Sacrifices.
I'm men of war. by which I mean
fighting ships OF all classes. our losses
since the outbreak OF war are approx
mately go, more than twice the total
losses Of war vessels OF the whole OF
the other allies. In addition to these
losses we have lost $50 auxiliary craft.
such as mine sweepers and trawlers
making total of $50.
Turning to merchant ships, our
ber representing a gross tonnage OF
nearly 7.750,o0o. being nearly three
times the aggregate losses Of our al
lies. and so per cent. more than the
total losses of all other allied and neu-
trail countries. We have also whole
heartedly devoted by far the major por-
ton Of our shipbuiliing capacity to
the construction of war vessels to main
tain the sea communication OF the ALI
ance to the detriment OF our merchant
marine.
Work OF the American Navy.
AS regards your navy, in effort, in
good will and share OF toll and share
Of danger. in cooperation, In working.
Il cannot be surpassed. Your plans
nave been laid for a great effort on sea
as we'll as on land. but believe me
and claim to have some little expert
ence of both-it is much more easy to
'ipbuild military effort than n naval
'nort. With a courage which must be
The admiration of all who know Of what
has been done-and alas that number
- too few-your Navy Department has
undertaken the colossal task of Gre
nting a magnificent navy out OF a pop
uiation largely engaged In pursuits un-
connected with the sea. and with huge
training depots, one al any rate some
1900 miles from the coast.
1T is not my purpose, nor is It my
province. to explain ana elaborate the
situation on land. That Is for those who
are responsible for land warfare, but
as regards the sea. believe me- Germany
r. not beaten, Is not nearly beaten, and
IN some respects is stronger than ever
rhe was. Let mo roughly depict the
situation
First or all. on the surface, the Ger
man hi1h A.as 0ssi In rendered inrpotent
behind Inn1 foriinchtiGng which no re-
"pOhHlbl" nstsl authority deems capable
or rehur'hn ffoD the son. / say rem
dered hntsdsri. a. since the battle of
Jptlhnd. Nhhn The ucrman feet ran
from tbs British nSrt---aa Il was wise
10 run nia, nset hiss never been out 10
sea. should tho German naval polIcy
De changed by force ~ circumuancea
ar by tplrit Of adventure, which II has
20 Tar failed TO show. Il viii be met.
And II II means TO fight that fight will
pe naval Afmageddon In which your
niasn'ncent battleships with the Grand