The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-22
HOW THE BOCHE j,
CAVE WARSHIPS
TO THE EENTENTE
Germany, as Naval Force,
Ceases to Exist.
When Surrender of Fleet Made
to Allies.
"a SHIPS OF THE LINE
These Were Given Up, With
Seven Cruisers.
And Fifty Destroyers Are
Thrown In, Too.
a SHIPS OF THE LINE
These We're Given Up, With
Seven Cruisers.
And Fifty Destroyers :
Thrown In, Too.

Edinburgh. Nov. 21.-Germany. Al
naval power ceased to exist today.
The heart of her mighty fleet-four-
teen ships of the line. seven light
cruisers and fifty destroyers-surren-
dered to an armada of English. Amer
lean and French vessels, the greatest
fighting force that ever stood out to
sea. "
The rninutely detailed program Of
submission laid down by the COM
mander of the British fleet was carried
out strictly according to plan. The
German warships, strung out in a sim
gle column almost twenty miles long.
appeared at the rendezvous at the
appointed time, and were led into the
Firth of Forth between twin columns
Of allied ships which ovsrlapped the
Germans at each end. Tonight the
enemy craft are anchored in the
Firth. under guard as prisoners.
Never So Gigantic.
A surrender on such a gigantic scale
has no precedent in naval history. AL
tho the wonderful naval spectacle was
the same as a peace time review and
evoked little enthusiasm, the haze
blotting out the horizon, American
and British office IS could scarcely
credit the evidence of their eyes. 1t
was an event which shattered all ma
val traditions and ideals.
Men animated by the spirit of Law
rence's Don't give up the ship" and
Nelson's England expects every man
to do his duty" could not conceive of
such an inglorious fate as that to
which the enemy sea force was sub
mitting. The Associated Press corre-
spondent. standing on the deck of an
American dreadnaught, heard an off,
Ger exclain: Even the poor old
L .
tchance, came out of Santiago" ---~..ss'
Felt Only Pity.
But for the most part both officers
and men were silent. They realized
they were witnessing the climacteric
act of Germany's downfall They
knew that the surrender of these ves-
sells automatically raised the United
States to second position among the
| worlds naval powers but they showed
no elation and seemed to feel a sort
jt contemptuoLs pity for the fallen
giant of the sea who had refused to
| fight Their imaginations dwelt on
the foes shame.
! The German ships were sighted by
the allies at $3.50 o'clock, docilely fol-
lowing their British pilot, the light
cruiser Cardiff, which with destroyers
and other small craft. had ranged
| ahead of the allied fleet.
Well to Comply.
| The enemy studiously complied
with Admiral Beatty's orders and it
was well for their own sakes that
| they did. Every vessel steaming out
| to meet them flew battle ensigns and
/, was ready for instant action with its
| men at battle stations and guns in
| position for the prompt annihilation
% the enemy's forces if their mission
proved to be other than eaceful
Five American battleships, the New
| York, Texas. Arkansas, Wyoming and
Florida, were prepared to fire every
gun in 40 seconds after the signal
| was given by Rear Admiral Hugh
Rodman, who said to the correspond
ent before sailing:
There Is not the slightest proba-
bility of any trouble but we are over
! .oking no chances against making
the windup of this show a big suc-
cess"
The main allied fleet, extending over
a line fourteen miles long in the Firth
of Forth. began to weigh anchor at !
o'clock this morning. The Scotch
mist, which for days had obscured the
harbor, was swept away by a stiff
breeze. and the moon shone brilliantly
The ships quickly took their station
in the long double line they held
thruout the day. British battle cruis.
ers led the way, followed by dread.
naughts. Admiral Beatty's flagship
the Queen Elizabeth, led the squad.
ron In the northern column. Ths
American warships fell into line be.
hind Admiral Beatty's craft. balancing
a British squadron similar in power In
the opposite file.
The rendezvous was approximatelS
fifty miles distant and the ship
gauged their speed to arrive at the ap.
pointed place at 8 o'clock. At
o'clock signal summoned the men Il
battle stations. Except for the officer
Continued Page Two.)