Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-18
BEATTY PRAISES .
U.S.. SEA FIGHTERS
IN FAREWELL TALK
Sorry He Didn't Get Chance 10
Strike Hun Fleet, He
Tells Them.
COME BACK AGAIN"HE BIDS
BY Asso.4ased pre~s 10. Every Evening

BY Associated P-ess 10. Every Evening
London, Dec. Is.-The American
battleshrp squadron. attached 70 the
British Grand Fleet displayed spirit
Of true comradeship throughout
its period Of service. declared Ad iral
Sir David Beatty. the com rander-in-c chief
of the Grand Fleet, in . farewell address
on board the u 81 = New York
December /, the day the squadron was
detached from the Grand Fleet
All hands had been called 70 muster
on the forecastle TO hear Admiral Beatty
After thanking the American Officers
and men for their cooperation. Sir David
remarked that both the British and
americans were disappointed az moi
having been able 10 meet the German feet.
He declared that the day the German feet
surrendered was "a pitiful day 10 see,
sir David said be had always had ms
givlngs that thet Germans would never
come out for 2 finish tight, and these
misglvIngs had been strengthened by
the coming OF the American squadron.
THANKS FOR THE LOYALTY.
What I say comes from the heart,
not only nv heart but the hearts OF your
comrades Of the Grand Fleet, said Sir
David. Il want FIRST Of all 10 thank you.
Admiral Rodman. and the Captains
and officers and the ships companies
OF this magnificent squadron TOR the
wonderful cooperation and loyalty yoQ
have given me and my admiral and
assistance YOU have given us u every
duty YOU have had 70 undertake.
The support which you have shown
IS Of the true comradeship, ana in time OF
stress that is worth 3 very great deal
As somebody said the other day: the
fighting is over aud the talking Is gong
70 begin.
HUNS SURRENDERED LIKE SHEEP.
Il know quite well that you, ss well
as vour British comrades were bitterly
disappointed at not being able 20 give
effect TO that efficiency YOU have 50 well
maintained Il was q most disappointing
day-a pitiful day to see those great ships
coming 10 like sheep being hcrded by dogs
20 their fold without an effort on any
body's part, but it was > day everybody
could be proud Of.
II had always had certain misgivings,
and when the Sixth Battle squadron
became part Of the Grand Fleet those
uisgivings were doubly strengthened
and knew rhcn they would throw up
their hands Apparently The Sixth battle
squadron was the straw tha. broke the
camels back.
the Grand Fleet was unable 20 strike thcir
blow FOR the freedom Of the world, IS
4 counteracted by the fact that i wss
+ their prestige alone that brought about
+ this achievement.
LEAVE WARM PLACE IN HEARTS.
During the last - months you have
4 been with US we have learned 70 know
/ each other very well We have learned
/ to respect each other. | want yoU to
I take back message 70 the Atlantic
I fleet that you have left very warm
place id the hearts Of the Grand feet
which cannot be filled until YOU come
| back or send another squadron 70 re-
present you, You have given us q sample
/ Of the Atlantic feet which, | think, the
Atlantic feet, efficient rs Il IS, viii ind
/ i very hard to reproduce.
II understand that YOU arc now going
| to Portland where you are 70 get leave.
| There Is a duty TO perform m bringing
your President 10 these waters and then
| YOU viii return 10 your own shores. And
/ | hope that in the sunshine, which,
/ Admiral RodInan tells me, always shines
! there, YOU viii not forget your comrades
! of the mist and your pleasant aSsocia
| tions OF the North Sea. :