Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-18
BEATTY LOUD
IN PRAISE OF
u. S. SEA AID
British Admiral Pays Trib
ute to Naval Force as
1t Departs.

London, Dec. IS.-The American
battleship squadron attached to the
British grand feet. displayed a spir-
il Of true comradeship throughout
its period of service. declared Ad-
miral Sir David Beatty. the COM
mander in chief of the grand fleet.
in a farewell address on board the
United States New York the day
the squadron was detached from
the grand feet All hands had been
called to muster on the forward
deck to hear Admiral Beatty.
After thanking the American Of
ficers and men for their cooperation
Sir David remarked that both the
British and the Americans were
disappointed at not having gotten
at the German feet. He declared
that the day the German fleet sur
rendered was "a pitiful day to see"
Sir David said he had always had
misgivings that the Germans would
never come out for a finish fight
and these misgivings had been
strengthened by the coming OF the
American squadron.
Farewell Message to All.
"I could not let the Sixth battle
squadron go without coming on
board the New York and saying
something of what ! feel at this
moment of your departure" sail
Sir David. II had intended to ask
Admiral Rodman to permit me to
say something to the representa-
tives of all the ships of the Sixth
battle squadron on board his flag
ship. but the exigencies of the ser
vice have not permitted it. There
fore, as Admiral Rodman has sug-
gested, what | say to you l hope
you will promulgate to your com
ades in the other ships and also
to your comrades of the Atlantic
fleet.
What I say I hope you will un-
derstand. comes from the heart, not
only my heart. but the hearts OF
your comrades OF the grand feet
] want first to thank you. Admiral
Rodman. and the captains and Off
GERS and the ships companies OF
this magnificent squadron for the
wonderful cooperation and loyalty
you have given US In every duty
you have had 10 undertake.
Disappointed by Surrender.
The support which you have |
shown is that OF true comradeship. !
know quite we'll that you. as well !
as your British comrades, were bit |
terly disappointed a not being able |
10 give effect to that efficiency you /
Lave so well maintained. 1t was a /
most disappointing day. II was a /
pitiful day to see those great ships +
coming in like sheep being herded /
by dogs. to their fold without an /
effort on anybody's part, but it was |
a day everybody could be proud Of /
Il have always had misgivings I
and when the Sixth battle squad
ron became part of the grand feet. I
those misgiyings were doubly I
strengthened and | knew then they
would throw up their hands. Ap-
parently the Sixth battle squadron !
was the straw that broRe the cam
els back.
However, the disappointment .
that the grand feet was unable to /
strike then blow for the freedom OF .
the world, is counterbalanced by +
the fact that it was their prestige I
aione that brougk. about th:s /
achievement
During the lasl II months you /
have been with us we have learned .
to know each other well We have .
learned 10 respect each other. / +
want YOU 20 take back a message to +
the Atlantic feet that you have left I
a warm place in the hearts Of the I
grand feet which cannot be filled .
until you come back or send an
other squadron to represent you. F
You have given US a sample of the f
Atlantic fleet which. ! think, the .
Atlantic feet, efficient as il is, will .
ind very hard TO reproduce
Il understand that you are going
to Portsmouth where you are to I
gec leave. There is q duty 10 per
form in bringing your president TO I
these waters and then you will re-
turn to your own shores And | /
hope th1t in the sunshine. which +
Admiral Rodman tells me. always F
shines there. you will not forget .
you comrades of the mist and your .
associations of the North sea.
North Sea Queer Place.
This is a queer place. as you
have found. but you are not the F
first to find it out There once /
was a great explorer, Marco Polo. +
VINO after travelling over the world .
for 80 years. one day found himself
in the North sea, and then went
home aEi went - bed and did not +
travel aay more. | trust il will not +
have the same eject on any OF you.
but ] can say that those Of you I +
have seen during the last u months .
seem to have improved in many
ways. if that were possible. and |
think the North sea has a health
giving quality which must be put .
against all its bad points OF which
there are so many.
Greatest Victory I'm History.
"I thank you again for the great
part the sixth battle squadron has /
played in bringing about the great /
est naval victory in history / hope /
YOU VIII give this message TO your
comrades:
Come hack soon