Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-01-01
ADMIRAL BEATTY
LAUDS U.S.FLEET
Commander OF the British Navy
Praises Work of Americans
in North Sea.
FOES SURRENDER "PITIFUL"
Always Feared Germans Would Not
Come Out and Fieht-DelIvers
Farewell Address on Battle
ship New York.

London. Dec. 20.-The American
battleship squadron attached to the
British grand fleet displayed a spirit
Of true cCmradeship throughout It's
period of service, declared Admiral Sir
David Beatty, the commander In chief
Of the grand fleet, in farewell address
on board the U. s. S. New York on
December l, the day the squadron was
detached from the grand fleet. All
hands had been called to muster on
forecastle TO hear Admiral Beatty.
After thanking the American officers
md men for their cooperation, Sir
and the Americans aere disappointed
at not having been able to meet the
German fleet He declared that the
day the German fleet surrendered 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.
81 could not let the Sixth battle
squadron 70 without coming on board
the New York ard saying something OF
what feel at this moment of your de-
parture." said Sir David. "What say
/ hope you will understand comes from
the heart. not only my heart. but the
hearts of your comrades of the grand
fleet. want first Of all to thank you,
Admiral Rodman. and the captains and
officers and the ships companies Of
this magnificent squadron for the won
derfm cooperation and loyalty you
have given me and my admlrals and
the assistance you have given us In
take.
THE support which you have shown
is that of true comradeship and in
time Of stress that is worth very
great deal. 7 want to congratulate you
for having been present upon day UNI
SURPASSED In the naval annals of the
world
81 know quite well that you. as well
as your British comrades, were bitterly
disappointed mt not being able To give
effect TO that efficiency you have so
well maintained. II was a most disnp-
pointing day. II was a pitiful day to
see those great ships coming in like
sheep beng herded by dogs to their
fold without an effort on anybody's
part. but II was day everybody could
be proud Of.
II have always had misgivings and
when the Sixth battle squadron became
part Of the grand fleet those misgiv-
ings were dOubly strengthened and
knew then they would throw up their
hands. Apparently the Sixth battle
squadron was the straw that broke the
camels back.
During the last IL months you have
been with us we have learned to know
each other very well. We have learned
to respect each other. l want you to
take back message to the Atlantic
fleet that YOU have left very warm
place in the hearts OF the grand feet
which cannot be filed until you come
back or send another squadron to rep.
resent you. You have given us a sam
pie of the Atlantic fleet. which, think,
the Atlantic fleet, efficient as II is. viii
find ii very hard 10 reproduce.
II understand that you are now 90
ing To Portland, where you are To get
leave. There Is a duty ia perform In
bringing your president to these wa
tiers and then you will return To your
own shores. And ] hope that in the
sunshine. which Admiral Rodman tells
me always shines there. you will not
forget your comrades OF the mist and
your association of the North Sea.
This Is queer place, as you have
found, but YOU are not the first to find
II out. There once was great ex-
plorer, Marco Polo who. after travel
ing over the world for 30 years, one
day found himself In the North Sea
and then went home and went 10 bed
and did not travel any more. trust
II will not have the same effect on any
OF you. but can say that those of you
/ have seen during the last - months
seem to have improved i'm many ways,
IL that We're possible, and think the
North sen has q health-giving quality
which must be put against all its bad
points, of which there ARE so many.
II thank YOU again and again for the
great part the Sixth battle squadron
has played Ia bringing about the great
est naval victory in history hope
YOU VIII give this message 10 your
comrades: Come back soon.
"Good-by and good luck"