New Britain herald., 1918-11-22


 and men were silent They realized they were witnessing the climacteric act Of Germany's downfall. They knew that the surrender of these yes sells automatically raised the United States to second position among the worlds naval powers, but they showed no elation and seemed to feel a sort of contemptuous pity for the fallen giant of the sea who had refused to fight. Their ina agination dwelt on the foes shame.
 The German ships were sighted by the Allied columns at 9:20 o'clock docilely following their British pilot, the light cruiser Cardiff, which, with destroyers and other small craft had ranged ahead of the Allied fleet Every vessel steaming out to meet them flew battle ensigns and was ready to annihilate the enemy's forces if their mission proved to be other than peaceful
 Five American battleships the New York. Texas, Arkansas, Wyoming and Florida, were prepared to fire every gun if the signal was given by Rear Admiral Rodman.
 The main Allied fleet extending over a line fourteen miles long in the Firth of Forth began to weigh an- chor at one o'clock this morning. It was moonlight. The ships quickly took their stations in the long double line they held throughout the day. British battle cruisers led the way, followed by dreadnoughts. Admiral Beatty's flagship, the Queen Eliza beth, led the squadron in one column.
 The American warships fell into line behind Admiral Beatty's craft, balancing a British squadron simi- lar in power in the opposite line.
 The rendezvous was approximately 50 miles distant and the ships gauged their speed to arrive at the appointed place at o'clock. At o'clock a signal summoned the men in to bat tie sta tions and, except for the off, cers on the bridges, the ships com panies were hidden behind bu1warks of steel.
 Close behind the Cardiff came the first of the German ships, the great battle cruiser Seydlitz, flying the flag of Commodore Togert. After her came four others of the same type, the Derfflinger Von Der Tann Hin- denburg and Moltke.
 Imme mediately following them were nine dreadnoughts the Friedrich Der Crosse, flagship Of Rear Admiral Won Reuter-; the Koenig Albert, Kaiser, Kronprinz Wilhelm, Kaiserin, Bay ern, Markgraf. Prinzregent Luitpold, and the Grosser Kurfuerst.
 Three miles astern of the battle ships came seven light cruisers, the Karlsruhe, bearing the ensign of Commodore Harder; the Frankfort Emden, Burnberg, Drummer, Coln, and Bremen.
 Then came another gap of three miles and German destroyers came steaming in five columns abreast, with ten destroyers to a. column.
 Six miles separated the Allied col ! umns, and squarely between them the ] Cardiff brought her charges, all ] steaning at the stipulated speed of ] ten knots. As ordered, their guns i were in regular fore and aft posi- 1 tions and, a,s far powerful glasses could determ inc, there was no sign to provoke suspicion. Until all the na- ! jor ships had been swallowed up in i the enveloping Allied columns the 1 latter never relaxed their alert watch. 1 When the leading German ship had l reached western end of the f1anking ! columns, the Allied ships put about in- l squadrons. Quickly reforming their lines they proceeded to escort the ! enemy into the Firth of Forth. Hold 1 ing steadily to its course, the great l fleet reached May Island at o'clock. 1 The captive Germans were piloted to anchorages assigned to them and British ships from the southern col umn closed in as guards. The north ern column steamed on to the regular h crI
 Inspection parties from the Grand fleet boarded the Germans to make sure that all conditions of the armi- l stice were observed. The enemy yes sels will be interned in Scapa Flow l Part of the crews will remain for ! maintenance work and the remainder ] will be returned to Germany soon. 1 King George, the Prince of Wales
 Admiral Beatty and other members 1 of the visiting party were received l bv Admirals Rodman and Sims and other officers of the fleet, They passed between long lines of marines anc ! sailors standing at attention anC went below to the admirars cabin. The visit lasted a half hour, dur ing which formalities were aban- ! doned.
 King George voiced the brotherly 1 feeling of tn two naVies, with a sug-
 gestion that arrangements might wei
 be made for joint Tnaneuvers every
 year by the American and British
 fleets. The proposal was heartily sec. onded by the American officers As the king entered the royal barge 1 the order came from the officer on the l bridge to the sailors and marines
 three cheers for the king of Eng 1 Iand". Cheers were given with such 1 a will that they brought an answer