The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-12-07

which was exhibited all over Great
Britain to enthusiastic crowds, clever
ly accumulated this idea. This film
related now, in 1920, a few Englishmen
had landed in North America; how
these adventures had laid the founda-
tons of a new state based on English
conceptions of justice and liberty; how
they had grown great and prosperous;
how the stupidity of certain British
statesmen had forced them to declare
their independence, how they had
fought for his independence with the
utmost heroism; how out of these dis
| jointed British colonies they had
| founded one of the mightiest nations
of history; and how now, when the
liberties of mankind We're endangered,
the descendants of the old Mayflower
pioneers had in their turn crossed the
ocean-this time going eastward-to
fight for the traditions of their race.
The whole story appealed to the Brit
ish masses as one of the great mira
cles of history single miserable little
settlement in Massa chusetts bay ex-
panding into a continent Overlooking
with resources and wealth; shipload
of men, women and children develop
ing, in less than three centuries, into
a nation of more than 100, 0O0, 900 peo-
pie. And the arrival of our destroyers,
pictured on the film, informed the
British people that all this youth and
energy had been thrown upon their
side of the battle.
One circumstance gave a particular
appropriateness to the fact that com
manded these forces. In 1910 / had
visited England as captain of the bat
tleship Minnesota unit in fleet
which was then cruising in British
and French waters. It was apparent
even at that time that preparations
were under way for a European war;
on every hand there were plenty of evil
dences that Germany was determined
to play her great stroke for the domi-
nation of the world. In a report to the
admiral commanding our division
gave it. as my opinion that the great
European war would begin within four
years. In a speech at the Guildhan.
where 500 of our sailors were enter
tanned at lunch by the Lord Mayor.
Sir vezey Strong, 1 used the words
which got me into good deal of trou-
BILE at the time and which have been
much quoted since.
IF the time should ever come
said. when the British empire is men
aced by a European coalition, Great
Britain can rely upon the last ship,
the last dollar the last man, and the
last drop of blood of her kindred be-
yond the sea-" 1t is not surprising
that the appearance of American ships,
commanded by the American who had
spoken these words seven years before.
strongly appealed to the British sense
of the dramatic. Indeed, it struck the
British people as particularly happy
fulfillment of prophecy. These SEN
fences were used as an introduction
to the moving picture film showing the
arrival of our first destroyer division,
and for weeks after reaching England,
I could hardly pick up newspaper
without these words of my Guildhall
speech staring me in the face.
Respect for the American Uniform.
OF course, any American admiral
then commanding American naval
forces in European waters would have
been acclaimed as the living symbol
of Anglo American cooperation; and
it was simply as the representative of
the American people and the American
navy that the British people received
me so appreciatively. At first the ap-
pearance of our uniforms aroused
much curiosity; our tightlyfi fitting
houses were quite different from the
British sack coats. and few people in
london. in fact, knew who we We're.
After our photographs had appeared in
the press, however, the people always
recognized us on the streets. And
then something quite unusual hap
pened. That naval and military men
should salute my staff was to have
been expected, but that civilians should
show this respect for American Inform
was really unprecedented. Yet we We're
frequently greeted in this way.
There were many evidences Oh IN
terest in the american admiral that
were really affecting. Thus one day a
message came from Lady Roberts, wild
ow of the great soldier, Field MarshaI
Earl Roberts, saying that she was
DESTROYS of meeting the american adj
mirar". I was very glad to go out in
the country and spend a Sunday after
noon with her. This charming. white
haired old lady was very feeble, and
had to spend most of her time in a
wheelchair. But her mind was as
bright as ever, and she had been fol-
lowing the war with the closest atten-
ton She listened with the keenest
interest as I told her all about the
submarines and she asked innumer-
able questions concerning them She
was particularly affected when she
spoke about the part the United States