The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1919-01-30
JOE AXLUND HAS PART
IN ADRIATIC BATTLE
Goes Through Naval Conflict At Du.
raxzO On Little American Sub.
Chaser

How Joe Axlund of Lynden, mech
anic on Subchaser Number 1876, par
t'crated in q stirring naval battle at
Durazzo on the Adriatic, is narrated
in the following article from the New
York Times. cabled from London:
American naval circles here have
been greatly pleased by the showing
made by twelve American submarine
chasers in the attack on Durrazzo.
Full details have not yet been re-
ceived. but the way British officers
have regarded the American per-
Torrance has been shown by their
comment: "They seemed to enjoy
themselves thoroughly"
1t is pointed out that not only were
the little American 11O-footers en-
trusted with the dangerous and re-
sponsible job of guarding the big
cruisers as they went about their
business Of shelling the port. but this
was the first opportunity American
sailors have had of taking part in
anything but submarine patrol. They
had to steam at full speed ahead
of the feet through dangerous mine
field. and make their way right into
the harbor. There. under heavy fire
OF every kind Of gun, they had to
keep a lookout for enemy submar-
ines. one of which had succeeded in
damaging a British cruiser.
They undoubtedly sank one. and
they have hopes they destroyed an
other.
For two hours they were exposed
to fire from the shore batteries and
from aircraft, but no one Of the 800
men who compose their crews was
hit. 1t is also noteworthy that while
the commander OF the flOtilIa, Cap
tain C. P. Nelson, and his chief aid.
Lieutenant P. H. BastedO. belong to
the regular navy, most of the other
officers and ratings come from the
naval reserve, and few months ago
had no idea that they would ever be
n fghting in the Adriatic.
Axlund sent home a Jugo-Slav pa
per, published at Split. this week.
Among other interesting features, 1t
contained the following article in
English welcoming the American Ma
w:
Welcome valiant descendants OF
Washington, Lincoln, compatrtots CT
r. osevelt and glorious Wilson! Wei
come to these Jugoslav coasts on the
Adriatic Sea. where after so many
centuries Of the most cruel slavery,
the day of Liberty has come at last.
Beside the French. sons OF the
great Nation, who with their own
blood redeemed the Liberty Of the
whole world, and who set the eternal
fundament of universal democracy 1t
ia most dear to have you among us.
citizens of that state in which the
democratical principles found It's
most harmonious application in the
organization Of the State.
You bring us the two most pre-
cious VOWS: Deliberation and SELF
determination.
Do not think we are strangers.
There are already many and many
wears, that our people, being until
Yesterday oppressed and driven out OF
their country by misery, caused py
the Austrian system OF starvation
, looked in America for better condi-
tions of living worthy of q man. Re-
turning from America, trey returned
not only with improvements In their
economic situations. but also with
larger intellectual horizon. - most
grateful to the country that has so
far helped US and with the prospect
of Il continuing to do so.
We therefore greet you as our nrst
helpers in economy and our first mas
ters in politicE.
When five years ago this terrible
war broke out, when great and pow
erful States clashed, struggling TOT
the supremacy of the world. we the
small nations, trembled thinking 10
be destroyed. in the struggle between
the opposite imperialisms.
The first one who encouraged U.s.
who cheered up our spirits. was your
countryman, President Wilson, VINO
at the end of January. 1917, in the
II. s. Senate gave an idea to the
world of the union Of the nations;
No nation should aim to RUE any
other nation, but on the contrary
every nation, the small and weak
"a we'll as the great and powertu'
ones to dispose of the way OF the'l
own Government. and the way OF ts
, development.
- with the security and loyal way
1 of thinking as a person sure OF h's
inst ideas - and in the moment
when the U. 6. of America joined the
war against brutal Germany, Presi'
dent Wilson in his proposal to the
II 8 Congress said: I'VE don't make
onv war to conquer, we fight TOT nu'