Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-11-24
Most Thrilling Surrender in Naval Warfare in Worlds History Interesting
 ly Told.
ARKANSAS ONE OF
 RECEIVING FLEET
German Flag Hauled Down Not to Be Hoisted Again
 Without Permission. y

Germany, as a naval power, has ceased to exist The heart of her mighty fleet-14 ships of line-seven light cruisers and fifty destroyers- surrendrede to an armada of British, American and French vessels, the great fighting force that every stood out to sea.
 After the surrender of the main in- stallment of theN German fleet off the Firth of Forth, Thursday, vice admiral Sid David Beatty, command CT in chief of the Grand Fleet, is- sued this message to the men of his command:
 "I wish to express to the flag of- ficers, captains, officers and men of the Grand Fleet, my congratulations on the victory which has been gain ed over the sea power of our enemy. The greatness of this achievement is in no way lessened by the fact that the final episode did not take the form of, fleet action. Although deprived of this opportunity. which we had so long and eagerly awaited, of striking the final blow for the freedom of the world, we may derive satisfaction from the singular tribute which the enemy has accorded to the Grand Fleet.
 Without joining us in action he has given testimony to the prestige and efficinecy of the fleet without paral- Tel in history and it is to be remem- ibered that this testimony has been Anl fn hx, the best position to judge.
 Il desire to express my thanks and appreciation to all who have assist ed me in maintaing the fleet in in- stant readiness for action and who have borne the arduous and exact ing labors which have been neces- sary for perfecting the efficiency which accomplished so much" o= Describing the surrender of the German warships to the commander in chief of the Grand Fleet. Sir Day. id Beatty, correspondents said that after all the German ships had been taken over, the British admiral came through the line on the Queen Eliz- abeth, every allied vessel being man. ned and greeting the admiral and the flagship with loud and ringing cheers.
 The British grand fleet put to sea in two single lines six miles apart and so formed as to enable the sur rendering fleet to come up the cen ter. The leading ship of the German line was sighted between 9 and 10 o'clock in the morning. It was the Zeydlitz, flying the German naval en- sign.
 The minutely detailed program of submission laid down by the conl' mander of the British fleet was car ried out strictly according to plan The German warships. strung out in single column almost twenty miles long, appeared at the rendezvous at the appointed time and were led into Firth of Forth between twin col umns of allied ships which overlap ped the Germans at each end. Int enemy craft was now anchored 1T the Firth, under guard as prison CTS.
 A surrender on such gigantic scale had no precedent ill naval his tory. Although the wonde! full maya spectacle was the same as peace time, review and evoked little enthu siasm, the haze plotting out the horl zOn. American and British officers could scarcely credit the evidence 0 their eyes.
 It was an event which shattered all naval traditions and ideals, ant Nelson's England expects every mal to do his duty" could not conceive of such an inglorious fate as that tt which the enemy sea force was sub hitting. The Associated Press cor respondent, standing on the deck O an American dreadnaught. heard al officer exclaim: 'Even the poo old Spauiards, knowing they had no chance, came out of Santiago"
 But for the most part both offic CTS and men were silent. They req lized they were witnessing the clima teric act of Germany's downfall. The, knew that the surrender of these vessels automatically raise dthe Uni ted States to second position amons the worlds naval powers, but the. showed no elation and setmed to fee sort of contemptuous pity for tht fallen giant of the sea who had re fused to fight. Their imagination dwelt on the foes shame.
 The German ships were sighted b. the allies columns at 9:20 o'clocl docilely following their British pilot the light cruiser Cardiff. which witt destroyers and other small craft had ranged ahead of the allied fleet The enemy studiously complied witt Admiral Beatty's orders and it wa we'll for thtir own sakes that the. did. Every vessel steaming out | meet them flew battle ensigns an' was ready for instant action, witt { its men at battle stations and gun in position for the prompt annihila ton of the enemy's forces if thei mission proved to be other thai penceful. Five American battleships, tn