The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-18
WORK FOR $4,000 PRAISE FOR YANkS
Admiral Beatty Talks to Sail
Ors on American Ships.
Says They Have Displayed a
Spirit Of True Comradeship.
COME BACK SOON, He SAYS
On His Last Visit to the New
York Before Ship Sails.
Words Come From the Heart,
British Leader Says.

British Leader Says.
London, Dec. 1S.-The American
battleship squadron attached to the
British grand fleet displayed a spirit !
of true comradeship thru its period
of service, declared Admiral Sir Da- !
vid Beatty, the commander-in-ch chief
of the grand fleet in a farewell ad- !
dress on board the U. S. S. New York
on December 1. the day the squadron
was detached from the grand fleet.
All hands had been called to muster
on the forecastle to hear Admiral
Beatty. After thanking the American
officers and men for their co-opera-
ton, Sir David remarked that both
the British and the Americans were
disappointed at not having been able
to meet the German fleet. He de-
clared that the day the German fleet
surrendered was IA pitiful day to
see." Sir David said he had always
had misgivings that the Germans
would never come out for finish
fight and these misgivings had been
strengthened by the coming OF the
American squadron.
81 could not let the Sixth battle
squadron go without coming on board
the New York and saying something
of what I feel at this moment of your
departure said Sir David. What 1
say to you 1 hope you will promul-
gate to your comrades on the other
ships and also to your comrades of
the Atlantic fleet.
From Hearts OF All.
"what I say I hope you will under
stand comes from the heart, not only
my heart, but the hearts of your COM
rades of the grand fleet. I want first
of all to thank you, Admiral Rodman
| and the captains and officers and the
ships companies Of this magnificent
squadron for the wonderful co-opera-
ton and loyalty you have given me
and my admirals and the assistance
| you have given us in every duty you
have had to undertake.
1.-The support which you have
shown is that of true comradeship
and in time of stress that is worth a
very great deal. AS somebody said
| the other day, The fighting now is
over ana the talking now is going to
begin. Therefore, I do not want ito
keep you here any longer. I congratu-
late you for having been present upon
| a day unsurpassed in the naval an
nails Of the world.
| Bitterly Disappointed.
'I know quite well that you, as well
as your British comrades were Bit
terly disappointed at not being able to
give effect to that efficiency you have
SO well maintained. 1t was a most
| disappointing day. 1t was a pitiful
| day to see those great ships coming
| in like sheep being herded by dogs to
their fold without an effort on any
| body's part, but it was a day every
body could be proud of.
| IT have always had misgivings and
| when the Sixth battle squadron be-
came part of the grand fleet, those
misgivings were doubly strengthened
and knew then they would throw uj
their hands. Apparently the Sixth
battle squadron was the straw that
broke the camePs back.
However, the disappointment that
the grand fleet was unable to strike
their blow for the freedom of the
| world, is counteracted by the fact that
1t was their prestige alone that
brought about this achievement.
Have Learned Respect.
During the last twelve months you
have been with us We have learned to
know each other very well. We have
learned to respect each other. 1 want
you to take back a message to the
Atlantic fleet that you have left a
very warm place in the hearts of the
grand fleet which cannot be filled un-
til you come back or send another
squadron to represent you. You have
given us a sample of the Atlantic
fleet. which I think, the Atlantic fleet.
efficient as 1t Is, will find it very hard
to reproduce.
'I understand that you now are
going to Portland. where you are to
get leave. There is a duty to perform
in bringing your president to these
waters and then you will return to
your own shores. And I hope that in
the sunshine which Admiral Rodman
tells me always shines there, you will
not forget your comrades Of the mist
;. and your pleasant associations of the
North sea.
This is queer place, as you have
found. but you are not the first to
find it out There once was a great
explorer. Marco Polo. who. after
travelling over the world for thirty
) yearg. one day found himself in the
} North sea- end then went home and
went to bed and did not travel any
more I trust it will not have the
: same effect on any of you, but I car
say that those of you 1 have seer
during the last twelve months seem to
! have improved in many ways, il that
were possible, and think the North
sea has health giving quality which
must be put against all it's bad points
Of which there are so many.
81 thank you again and again fol-
, the great part the Sixth battle squad
ron has played in bringing about the
greatest naval victory in history.
: hope you will give this message te
your comrades:
leone back SOON
"Good by and good luck"