South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-08
NAVAL
CHIEF PRAISES
j. s. FIGHTERS
Sir Eric GeddeS, First Lord of
Admiralty, Arrives to Dis
CuSS Certain Naval
Matters.

WASHINGTON, Oct S-An adj
miralty board headed by Sir Eric
Geddes. first lord OF the British ad
miralty, arrived in Washington to-
day as the guests of the navy de-
partment. The party came in re-
spouse 10 an invitation extended by
Sec'y Daniels 10 Sir Eric some time
ago and in part to return the visit
10 England OF Asst. Sec'y Roosevelt
Of the navy department
My visit 10 the United States.
Sir Eric said tonight 10 the news
paper correspondents at the admir-
atty. rs in response to a most cor
dial invitation extended TO us by the
| secretary of the United States navy.
Mr.. Daniels intimated 20 me re
Gently that a visit of representatives
OF the British board of admiralty TO
discuss certain matters concerning
the naval situation would be very
welcome TO the navy department and
TO himself, and it is in this capacity
and for this purpose that we have
come over.
Praises American Forces.
For the last IS months we on
our side have had the opportunity Of
! seeing your navy at work and I am
voicing the opinion not only of the
royal navy and the British nation.
! but of the whole of the allies, when
] say that your sailors. no less than
your gallant troops, have won our
| deepest admiration.
"Seamanship. technical skill, en-
/ durance. ingenuity and good fellow
ship-an Of these we knew we could
| expect from the United States navy,
/ and il is these very qualities in a
| degree far exceeding our anticipa-
! tons which have endeared your Of
/ icers and men to Us all and have
/ brought about that complete unity
/ OF spirit and purpose between the
/ two great navies to which the pres
ent visit Of the board of admiralty
bears testimony.
Have Accomplished Wonders.
The dauntless determination
which the United States has display
ed in creating a huge trained body
of seamen out of landsmen is one
OF the most striking accomplish
ments of the war. Had it not been
effectively done one would have
thought it impossible. and words fail
me 10 express our admiration Of this
feat undertaken and accomplished
by your navy department of which
Sec'y Daniels is the civil chief"
The fact that the admiralty yes
sci which brought the party to the
United States flew the admiralty
flag may have significance. Never
before has this ensign been flown
out OF British home tiers. It
meant that a board Or admiralty,
vested with full powers 20 make de-
cisions for the admiralty which need
not be referred for confirmation, was
on the ship.
Lunches With President.
Admiral Benson. chief Of opera
tions. met the visitors when they
landed and escorted them TO Wash
ington where they were received
with full naval honors. The day
was devoted TO an interchange of
greetings. Sir Eric lunching with
Pres't Wilson at the white house and
tomorrow conferences will begin
on all matters invorved in the joint
effort Of the allies and the United
states 10 crush German naval power
and TO make safe the seas for troop
transports. The exact nature Of the
subjects TO be taken up has not been
disclosed.
Returns Naval Compliment
In connection with the fact that
the admiralty flag had been flown
on the way over, Sir Eric said he
was glad of an opportunity 10 thus
return the compliment, for Asst
Sec'y Roosevelt had sailed under his
own flag while in British waters, and
Vice Admiral Sims curing the period
that he commanded the Joint British
and American forces along the Irish
coast some time ago, hOisted his hag
on a British war vessel.
The only incident OF the trip
across. Sir Eric said. was also a good
omen About "a hours out a young
American eagle alighted in the radio
aerials OF the ship. Later it was
brought down and the British FIRST
lord Of the admiralty confirmed for
himself the fact that he was being
thus welcomed TO American soil.