The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-09-28
Continued from Page I'D

was achieved at the very moment that
General Nivelle's offensive failed on
the western front. we can get some
idea OF the real tragedy OF the allied
situation in the spring of 1917.
Things Were Dark" Said BaIfour.
Things We're dark when took that
trip to America" Mr.. Balfour said to
me afterward. The submarines were
constantly on my mind 1 could think
Of nothing but the number of ships
they We're sinking. All that time il
certainly looked as though we were
going 10 lose the war.
One of the men who most keenly real
lied the state of affairs was the king.
1 met his majesty first in the chancel
Of st. Paurs, on that memorable occa--
sion in April 1917. when the English
people held a thanksgiving service to
celebrate Americas entrance into the
war. On this, as on several subsequent
meetings, the king impressed me as a
simple. courteous, unaffected English
gentleman. He. was dressed in khaki,
like any other warm hearted, sincere,
even democratic.
1T gives me great pleasure to meet
you on an occasion like this" said his
majesty referring TO the great Anglo
American memorial service. II am also
glad to great an American admiral on
such a mission as yours. And I wish
you all success"
On that occasion we naturally had
little time for an exchange OF views.
but a few days afterward was invited
to spend the night mt Windsor Castle.
The king in his own home proved even
more cordial if that were possible,
than at our first meeting, After dinner
we adjourned to a small room and
there, over our cigars, we discussed the
situation at considerable length The
king is rapid and animated taIker:
he was kept constantly informed on the
submarine Situation, and discussed IT
that night In al its details. was first
surprised By his familiarity. with all
naval questions and the intimate touch
which he was evidently maintaining
with the British fleet, Yet this was
not really surprising. for his majesty
himseif is sailorI in his early youth
he joined the navy. in which he work.
pd up like any other British boy. He
seemed almost as well informed about
the American navy as about the Brit
fish: he displayed the utmost interest
i'm our preparations on land and sea.
ana ne was particularly SOicitouS lhdl
7. as the American representative.
should have complete access to the adj
miralty office. About the submarine
campaign, the king was just as out
spoken as Jellicoe and the other mem
hers of the admiralty. The think must
be stopped. or the allies could never
win the war.
Lloyd George Like Lincoln.
or all the influential men in the
British government there are only one
who took an optimistic. attitude. This
was Mr.. Lloyd George. met the prime
minister frequently at dinners, at his
own country place. and elsewhere; and
the most lasting impression which / re-
tain of this wonderful man was his ir-
repressible gaiety of spirits. / think of
the prime minister of Great Britain as
a great, big. exuberant boy, always
laughing and Joking. and even in this,
perhaps the darkest crisis OF British
history, showing no signs of depression.
His face. which was clear in its COM
plexion as a girls never betrayed the
slightest anxiety. and his eyes, always
sparkling, never disclosed the faintest
shadow. IL is picture which i shall
never forget--that of this man, upon
whose shoulders the destiny of the en-
pire chiefly rested. apparently refusing
10 admit. even to himself, the dangers
M1at were seemingly crushing il to
extinction, heroicaIly devoting all his
energies to uplifting the spirits of his
countrymen, and. in his private inter
course with his associates, even in the
most fateful moments, finding time to