The sun., 1918-11-23

the low mist which blurred all outlines
and refused to yield TO the cold brilliance
or the sunshine, but the Significance OF
the meeting and the procession was more
important than Its appearance.
Men In uniform watching the German
ships come into view We'd with one an
other In identifying them one by one,
sometimes with the aid Of books and sill
houettes. but underneath the momentary
excitement of determining whether this
ship was the Hlndenburg or the Derfiln-
ger there was deep satisfaction that the
tedious task Of the navy had been full
filled.
As the Queen Elizabeth steamed along
the lines she was cheered again and
again by the men who crowded the
decks Of the ships she led. The day
came to peculiarly fitting close. As
hour before noon the Commander in
Chief Issued the following signal 20 the
fleet 1t was received beyond doubt by
the Germans: The German flag will be
hauled down at sunset to-day. 1t will
not he hoisted again without permits
sion"
The German ships were flying the Ger
man naval flag at the main top At I
o'clock all hands on the Queen Elizabeth
were piped aft. They had assembled
and were waiting perhaps for a speech,
when suddenly the buzle rang out,
Making sunset" Instantly all turned
to the flag and saluted. The next min
ute cheers for the Commander In Chief
were called for and given with deafening
heartiness. Admiral Beatty acknowl-
edged the tribute with Thank you"
adding. II always told you they would
nave to come out"
Then the ships company went back
to their duties. Meantime the Germans
in seventy-one ships which lay out of
sight In the mist had undergone the
,nortihcation OF seeing their nag hauled
down, perhaps never TO be hoisted again.
To-day understand those ships will set
out under n strong escort to Scapa Flow
to remain there until the peace treaty
decides their fate.
Thanksgiving for Victory.
bring this despatch to an end with
the signal message issued by the Com
mander In Chief to every ship In the
fleet to-day. The signal was this:
ut is my intention TO hold a service
of Thanksgiving at p. NJ. to-day for
tho victory Almighty God vouchsafed
his Majesty's arms. Every ship Is recon-
mended to do the same
The message follows:
II wish to express to the nag officers,
Captains, officers and men OF the Grand
Fleet my congratulations on the victory
which 1t has gained over the sea power
of the enemy. The greatness of this
achievement Is not lessened by the fact
that the final episode did not take the
form % fleet action.
Although deprived Of this opportunity
which we so long eagerly awaited ara OF
striking the final blow FOR the freedom OF
the world we may derive satisfaction
from the singular tribute that the enemy
has accorded the Grand Fleet.
without Joining us in action ne has
given testimony to the prestige and eff
cheney OF the fleet which is without a
parallel in history and II ia to be re-
memhered that this testimony has been
accorded to us by those who were in the
best position to judge. 7 desire to ex-
press my thanks and appreciation to all
who assisted me In maintaining the
fleet in instant readiness for action and
who have borne the arduous and exact
ing labors which have been necessary for
perfecting the efficiency which has ac-
complished SO much"