The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 5

THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN, MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1916. GERMAN LOSSES THE HEAVIER. STORY 0E THE BATTLE. MR, CHURCHILL SUMS UP I THE BRITISH OBJECT ACHIEVED. NEW ADMIRALTY STATEMENT ON NORTH SEA BATTLE.

FOUR ENEMY CAPITAL SHIPS. HOW THE FLEET SAILED CAME BACK. SENSEOF VICTORY AMONG THE MEN. (Fkom a Correspondent.) EhlNBUBGH, SUNDAl. I watched the mighty ships pass out; I watched the victorious ships one by one come home.

I emphasise the word victorious. To a Hundred stories ot tne oaws j. The official reports have made one run cold, but I know otherwise. Many nights I have watched the great ships steal away to sea, but on Tuesday night wo heard it was possiblv the real thing. The blood tingled as ship after ship cast off the moorings and went with greyhound speed into the gathering murk of the east.

A bluster ing halt-gale was coming irom ine souia-i making the way easy for them. Battleships, battle cruisers," heavy cruisers, light cruisers, destroyers all went out. Soon the base was nearly empty. The Queen Elizabeth Left Behind. Strange fate it should be that on this night of all nights one of the two great boats that -nroorlTiniitTht the shin waUed behind was the Dreadnought the ship nt fIZL of dry dock a few hours too late to join in.

How the upper and lower deck denounced their fate I mL. j. i a lv! BERLIN REPORTS KNOWN CERTAINLY TO BE UNTRUE. crafC wWci "lothc r7C07e of tQ miIea of Denmark, our ad-1 The reinforcements came on the scene after whole squadron was later lost, broke through vanced guards sighted the enemy, and it the fight had lasted for about a couple of the enemy's linos and torpedoed a huge battle- wa soon apparent that he was out in great hours. Then there hove in sight the In-ahip.

It was a feat of courage- and daring force erc being in all about 100 ships in- vincible ad thc aitebfe and the In-and skilful seamanship which will stand for coming at least battleships and battle-' ever in the annals of our fleet. In front of them were numerous flexible, Admiral the Hon. Horace Hood, The. Germans did not throw bieeer shells, B9adrons 0f light cruisers and destroyers, second in command of the battle-cruiser STRIKING INCIDENTS. A HIGH NAVAL OFFICER INTERVIEWED.

Below is the gist of an interview accorded to a representative of the Associated Press of America on Saturday by a naval officer of high rank who had had access to special sources of information regarding the action in the North Sea. Tho naval officer said it would have been possible to have anticipated the German ac count of the battle circulated by wireless telegraphy, but the Admiralty did not have details until Admiral Jellicoe reached therefore it frankly issued the information in its possession. The Associated Press is informed that future details will havo an even more heartening effect than the news given out yesterday. Tho officer tho following details of the fight: "We can only Bay that we were looking for a fight when our fleet went out. Stories that it was decoyed by the Germans is tho sheerest nonsense.

Iu a word, we engaged the entire German High Seas Fleet, inter- ruptea tneir plan, ana arave xnem oacs into their harbours. In doing this we sustained heavy losses, which we expected, but wo also attained the expected result of forcing the enemy to abandon his plan ana to sees reiuge after we had given battle in his own waters near his coast. "With the excention of two divisions, part of which was only partly engaged, the brunt of the battle was borne by the battle-cruiser fleet, and with one exception our battle fleet is ready for sea service. I must admit that we had exceptionally hard luck with our battle-cruisers, but the loss of these three great ships does not in any measure cripple our control of the sea. A Holding and a Running Fight.

"The great battle had four phases, the first opening at 3 15 p.m., when our battle-cruisers at a range of six miles joined action with the German battle-cruisers. "Shortly afterwards the second phase began, with the arrival on both sides of battleships. The liermans arrived nrss, nut before their arrival our three battle-cruisers had been blown up, supposedly as the result of gun-fire, but there is a possibility that they met their fate by torpedoes. "Snr.li rlnsft-ra-nire fiehtine by battle- cruisers might be criticised as bad tactics, but our fleet, following the traditions of the navy, went out to engage the enemy. On account of the weather conditions, however, io ooum only do so at short range.

"The third phase was the engagement or battleships, which was never more than partial. This Tihase included a running fight aa the German Dreadnoughts fled towards their bases. All the big ships' hghting was over by 9 15. "Then came one of the most weird features of the battle, as the German destroyers made attack after attack, like infantry following an artillery preparation, on our big ships. But these onslaughts were singularly futile, not a single torpedo launched by them getting home.

With the, morning thesa attacks ended, and the battle ground was secured by Admiral Jellicoe's fleet, ported not a single enemy ship in sight. The Marlborough. Until we get Admiral Jellicoe's complete report we can only give fragmentary incidents of the great battle. Among these waB the torpedoing of the super-Dreadnought Marlborough, which is now safely in harbour. She must have struck a veritable hornets' nest of submarines, as by skilful manoeuvring" she avoided three of these before she was finally hit.

Vanished German Dreadnoughts. "Early, in the evening, according to Admiral Beatty's report, a German battle-cruiser, after boing hotly engaged, blew up, broke in two, and sank. Officers of the fleet also report passing and closely, engaging a German battle-cruiser, which 'was left behind while the British, pursued the Germans. When" they returned the vessel -was missing. Judging from her previous plight, she must now be at the bottom of the sea.

"This accounts for two enemy battle- -cruisers, apart from those ships of whose loss we have their admission. The Admiralty has reports of the sinking of four German light cruisers ana tne uermans nave acwiowieagea the loss of six destroyers. There is. very good hope that the German losses are even greater, but we do not intend to make any estimate until we have complete official reports from our commanders, who, do vnot report the loss of antagonists without definite Noz-NewTricks, The-Zeppelins did not pjay the part which was attributed to them. Only one an.

peared, and remained, in action, a very brief time, retiring wder heavy fire, evidently but the vessels of the enemy's Kaiser class of battleships now joined in the fray, and their smashing power gave the Germans an enormous superiority both in ships and in It will probably be found when the story of the battle is fully known that one of the deadliest enemies of the British battle-crnisers was the German mine-field! The attackers had also to contend with the danger from submarines and Zeppelins. The mine-field prevented full freedom of action on the part of the British squadron, which had perforce to fight in a narrow area, while the Zeppelins and submarines, being near their base, were able to operate in such a manner as to be a most important factorinthe battle. Having succeeded in at length drawing the whole German fleet out of its safe quarters, i j. i Admiral Beattv. althmitrh creatlv outnum and running heavy risks, evidently to hang on grimly in order to detain the enemv fulf stre-ngfch.

it was a daring manoeuvre in the circumstances, for in gn power the battle-cruiser squadron was no niath for the Germans, but the superior ej uu iacucs or tne uritisn neei eu- "led them thunderous battle marvellously well. Had the positions been reversed, had our Grand Fleet been opposed to a German battle-cruiser the of men flBet lua; lne squaaron woum nave neeu blown to pieces. With a dogged pertinacity wortny ot tne highest traditions ot the untisn navv 'OUr cruisebrs on to the enemy) despite all the disadvantages and losses, sure in the hope that reinforcements, were on the way. Plio-hr (mm fhp OrnnA Pleef. squadron, flying his flag on the Invincible.

Their aid came none too soon for the battered fleet of Sir David Beatty. Still, however, the odds were all in favour of the Germans from the point of view of numbers and of position. The light by this time was such that the British ships were clearly distinguished, whereas the German MILLS 1 UCABDIAJi" MAP DEPABTIIENT COPTBIOHT. fleet sheltered behind its minefield and was well into the shadow of the shore, and the mist provided a very difficult target for our gunners. Nevertheless, the fight proceeded with a terrible intensity At this-etage it was mamiy; a battle royal of big guns, and the confl stupendous.

The Invincible, after fighting with the greatest gallantry and doing considerable damage to the enemy, met her doom, and she sank quickly, Further and much more formidable aid was how at hand, however, and Sir David Beatty was very soon relieved of anxiety when 'four of the battleships of the. Grand' Fleet, the Valiant, the Barham, the Malaga, and the Warspite, appeared on the With their participation in the fight the battle took 6n an entirely different complexion, for there was now something approaching an equality in- strength. The Warspite bore the brunt of a terrific attack bv no less than five Ger man battleships or cruisers. She put up a glorious ngm, ana earner sans or senpUBty damaged at least three of her assailants. In addition to some 'hot fighting, credit is doe to the Valiant for having rammed and sank an enemy submarine.

Eventually the Germans, regarded discre tion as the better part of valour: and souzht safety in retreat to their bases. Great, was the chagrin of the men on Sir John Jellicoe's ships when they were denied a fight' to a finish: With the approach of darkness the biacor vessels ceaseti wing, Dn tne acaon; was con, ed vT the smailw craft throBahoiii the I.fJJ'T I'kKS a 1 i- 1 -L' 'TT- whole nisht txootil the break of 4aVv when our to iU bases. No Pessimism Among- the Men. Wherever" there is pessimism regarding the result, of the. big engagement, it iseertainly not among the men who took the fight.

The loss of shjps; 8n4 loss ef-so mlieawiiemwiyi felt, butapove all rjscs tthe sincere kyicticiihrtvthib tSon-igairistyery heay-odds, ahd'tbafcall THE RESULTS. A DEFINITE STEP TO VICTORY." The Press Bureau issued on Saturday nieht the following statement, made by Mr. Churchill for publication: I have had an opportunity of examininsr the reports of the admirals and of considering the information in the possession of the Admiralty. j.ne louowing facts seem to me to be estab lished. 1.

The naval supremacy of the British fleet in capital ships depends upon the super-Dreadnoughts armed with 13.Sin. and 15in. guns, and these are sufficient by themselves to maintain control of the seas. Of these vital units of the first rank we have only lost one the Queen Mary. There appears to be no doubt that the Germans have lost at.

least, nnn mmnnrnliln ship. If this should be the Lutzow or the Der- minger, that vessel is the heavier loss to them, uumauy ana relatively, man the yueen mary is to us. 2. Coming to vessels of thn oonnnd nrAar we have lost tha Indefatigable nrt fh Tn- vincible. These are of an enUnelv different class from the suuer-Dreadnouehts.

and. valuable vessels as they are, do not rank as primary units Hie present time, a dreadnought oatueship of the Westfalen type would be a loss comparable to either. The armoured cruisers Black Prince, Defence, and Warrior belong to the third order of ships, of which we possess a very large superiority. The sinking of the two brand-new German light oruisers Wiesbaden and Elbine is. in fact, a more grievous loss to the enemv.

In all those vessels the most snn'mis foafairA is the loss of their splendid and irreplaceable crews. The destrover casualties armear tn aVmut. equal. On these terms, we, being the stronger, are tne gainers. Our flotillas have long sought such opportunities.

3. Our margin of superiority is in no way impaired. The desoatch of j-oods to the fVin. tinent should continue with the utmost freedom. fha ,1 1 a i i auumuutii stcumy to us.

No Surprises. i 4. The hazy weather, the fall of night, and the1 retreat of the enemy alone frustrated the perse-l venng efforts of our brilliant commanders, Sir John Jellicoo and Sir David Beatty, to force a nnai decision. Although it was not possible to compel the German main fleet to accept the conclusions reached are of the extreme importance. All classes of vessels on both sides have now met, and we know there are no surprises or unforeseen features.

An accurate measure can be taken of the strength of the enemy, and his definite inferiority is freed from any element of uncertainty. The fast division of Queen Elizabeths seems to have vindicated all the hopes reposed in them. I oannot record these facta without my profound sympathy with those who have loBt their dearest ones. Many of the most gallant sailors our island has ever nurtured and some or our most splendid officers have gone. But iney pave mea ad tney would have wished to die.

in a blue-water action whir-h it il studied, will more and more be found to be a ueuLni, amp cowards me attainment of complete THE BRITISH REMAIN 1 VICTORS." NEUTRAL PRESS OPINIONS. (Reuter's Correspondents.) Copenhagen, Saturday. Tho PnliHlran t.lio (mon declares that Germany's attempt to break through the blockade was a distinct failure, "he British, after continues the journal, undoubtedly remain victors, as they arc still in undisputed possession of the immense battlefield. The balance between the proportional strength of the German and Biitish fleets has undergone no perceptible change as tne result or this pattie." Discussing tiio causes of the British losses, the paper thinks that the retreating German fleet resorted to the tactics of throwing out an extraordinary number of mines, to which the pursuers naturally fell victims. The "National.

Tidende" says that two questions uarise First, are the British unj-able after this to hold their own at seaj and, secondly, have the Germans any chance of breaking through thu blockade The paper answers both questions in the negative, and sums up the action ts a lucky German sortie. OUR ALLIES WELL SATISFIED: (Pbess Association Wab Special. Petboqkad, Sunday. Commenting on the naval battle, the "Rusaky Invalid" says'that, in spite of our losses, the battle was undoubtedly a success. The "Bourse Gazette" declares that Great Britain retains command of the seas, and the Germans are once more obliged to skulk under shelter at Kiel.

It continues: Even the most short-sighted must now appre ciate the full value of Britain co-operafion with the AllieB. What would not the Germans have accomplished on tne shores of the north Sea and the Baltic but for the vigilant guard of the mighty British navy? Pabis, Saturday, The "Journal des Debate" observes that, even it tne total losses or tne British neet are greater than those of the enemy, which is bv no means established, it will none the less have successfully accomplished its task, which is to prevent tne uennan fleet from showing itself. All the: wipers ridicule the German boasts and'the the German people, i wno oeuevo wuj a uuicair is TWO ENEMY GSPITAL SHIPS GONE. A' HAMBURG RUMOUR, SuifDAYr 'A nerson arrrvfaM here to-day from Ger many says that'ruours are in; Ham-, burg that twojfliore QvmiuiM'f Westphalen and Lutxow, Wresiuiktinfthe1 recentnavax 'I- WHEN PROVED; battle -off CfenfMat enwroj vooara i Ho iht staannts steady trabJisbed it must be dded tiwmiosdMi repprt" theltejcraiser miwU.and the y8troj SIR D. SEATTLE'S FIGHT AT ODDS.

KAISER "SMASHERS" RUN FROM JELLICOE. (Pbess Association Wab Special.) Edinburgh, Saturday Night. In the hours a British battle-cruiser squadron under the command of Sir David Beatty left its base and proceeded, in the true pIkhti snirit 4-v. tre Nelson spirit to engage the enemy, Admiral Beatty had many times before cruised the vicinity of the present great battlefield, but the crafty Germans could never be lured awav fmm with the result that the British admiral, to use his own words, had to be content with barging about the North Sea dodging mines." But last Wednesday the sailors fH 11,0 ti, ro- l- felt that The Day for which they had 6 Ia" was a beautiful3, fino morni with ft calm "id as the ships sped the men were at iue prospect ot a nght. About four o'clock in the afternoon, when the British squadron was about one hundred i uuum, ono uunarea lue wf.s steaming rapidly in a north-westerly direction.

The Light Behind the British. At this time the fact has to be emphasised that the conditions wers entirely in favour of the Germans, who by this time had doubt less become aware that only a fraction of the British battle fleet was opposed to them. UAXCHESTEU Apart from the fact that the Germans were probably three- times as strong as Admiral Beatty's squadron, they had the advantage of the light, in so. as they adopted a favourite trick of hugging the coast and at the same time assuring a safe retreat. Then the atmospheric conditions took a change which still further helped the Germans.

A thin drizzle reduced visibility, and the British gun-layers were thus greatly handicapped, while, with the western sun be- hind them, the British ships were easily picked out on the horizon, whereas the Germans were able to conceal their strength, covered as they wera by the coast of Jutland. Notwithstanding all these adverse conditions, Admiral Beatty, true to the traditions of the British navy, never hesitated for a moment in throwing down the gauntlet to the German Cfommander-in-Chief. It was soon manifest that the Germans meant business. The small craft were aoon brushed aside, and with the big-gun ships about 15 miles apart the first exchange of shots took bv the columns of water which rose around the British advanced vessels, there could be no doubt that the pick of the German battleships were; hurling -broadsides, and while the famous new Hindenburg has not been officially mentioned, there is reason to believe she was heavily engaged. The British ships took the brunt of able.

From fifteen miles the' range of ana flien to and by. thus; perfect infernc-jras i BBn lT0Ti.apa almost immediately, "1 ".1 1 but it is conceded they have a fine range- finder, which enables them to hit very quickly. How the Warspite Came Home. The Gteering-gcar of the Warspite was unfortunately put out, but so little was she damaged that Bhe came home at 26 knots, and although other ships were scarred and spotted they were ready for sea again in a few hours. The hospital arrangements worked" perfectly, 1 and the wounded were rapidly brought to the mainland.

We have lost great ships and many peerless sailors, but on Saturday afternoon at the -base whose ships bore the brunt of tho battle great vessels were coming and going about their duties as if the conflict had never been. One had only to stand on the shore and watch the movements of these countless ships to realise how trifling really is the inroad in our armada. Admiral Jellicoe'a t-tatement of German losses has created surprise in this base. They are regarded as erring in excessive modesty. Our ships were not scarred without due retaliation.

On Thursday night, when the Warspite came in, the most optimistic statements were current, and each returning boat added, to the sense of victory. A NEW CRUISER'S LUCK. TRIALS FINISHED IN FIRING LINE. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. As East Coast Base, Sunday Night.

The losses in the battle work out with all tho unequal arbitrariness of war. In Portsmouth, to which several of the larger ships belonged, whole streets have been decimated. In this place, an important station on the east coast, one does not hear Of a single be- I ADMIRALTY ON ENEMY LOSSES. HEAVIER THAN OURS. The following statement bv of the Admiralty was issued by the Press bureau at if 50 last night Until tho Commander-in-Chief has bad time to the officers engaged and to write a full despatch, any attempt to give aerauea History of the naval engagement which began on the afternoon of the 31st May and ended in the morning hours of the 1st June would evidently be premature.

But the are quite plain. The Grand Fleet came in touch with the German High Seas Fleet at 3 30 on the afternoon of the 31st May. The leading ships of the two fleets carried on a vigorous fight, in which battle cruisers, fast battleships, and subsidiary craft all took an active part. The losses were severe on both sides, bu when the main body of tho British fleet came into contact with the German High Seas Fleet a very brief period sufficed to compel the latter, who had been severely punished, to seek refuge in their protected Waters. This manoeuvre was rendered possible by low visibility and mist, and although the Grand Fleet were now and then able to get into momentary contact with their opponents, no continuous action was possible.

They continued the pursuit until the light had wholly failed, while the British destroyers were able to make a successful attack upon the enemy during the night. Meanwhile Sir John Jellicoe, having driven the, enemy into-port, returned to the main scene of action and scoured the sea in search of disabled vessels. By noon the next day (1st June)- it became evident that there was nothing more to be done. He returned, therefore, to his bases, 400 miles away, refuelled his fleet, and in the evening of June 2 was again ready to put to sea. The British losses have already been fully stated, and thero is nothing to add to or 'subtract from the latest account published.

Tho enemy losses are less easy to determine. That the accounts they have given to the world are false is certain, and we cannot yet be sure of the exact truth. But from such evidence as has come to our knowledge the Admiralty entertain no doubt that the Gorman losses are heavier than the British not merely relatively to the strength of the two fleets, but absolutely. There seems to be the strongest ground for supposing that included in the German losses are Two battleships. Two Dreadnought battle-cruisers of the most powerful type.

Two of the latest light cruisers (Wiesbaden and Elbing). A light cruiser of the Rostock type. The light cruiser Frauenlob. At least nine destroyers and a submarine. OFFICERS SAVED AND LOST.

The Secretary of the Admiralty issued on Saturday evening the following summary of the losses amongst officers in the battle- cruisers and armoured cruisers which have already been reported as sunk in action in the XSorth tea on tne oust May: Queen Mary. Midshinman J. L. Storey, saved and unhurt. Midshipman J.

H. Lloyd-Owen, B.N.R., saved ana unnun. Midshipman H. M. Durrant, severely in 3 urea.

Midshipman V. St J. Van der Byl, suffering from shook. All the other officers on board were lost Invincible. Commander H.

E. Dannreuther, saved and unhurt Lieutenant C. S. Sandford, saved and unhurt Lieutenant R. R.

Stewart Midshipman G. T. Campbell, and Clerk W. B. C.

Steele were not on board. All the other officers on, board were lost Indefatigable. Second Lieutenant E. H. M.

Unwin, R.M., was not on board. All the other officers on board, together with Naval Instructor H. Wallis, were lost Defence. Major G. B.

S. Hickson, B.M.L.L, was not on board. All the other officers on board were lost Black Prince. All officers on board were lost Warrior. With the exception of Chief Carpenter James H.

Richards, all officers were list issued by the Admiralty last night of 357 officers killed and wounded appears page 6. THE GERM ANS CONTRADICTED. The Secretary of the Admiralty made the following announcement on Baturaay eight With. reference the German wireless message to. Embassy, Washington, to-day, containing a repuri oi ujb speocn oi tne President of the Reibhstagjit is noted that the loss of the battleship -warspite is again officially affirmed." This is untrue, that ship having returned to The loss of the Alcaster' (AeaetaXTia also announced; this' is also returaed.to 'Than imm nl the three British destroyers not -hitherto named, rmrtdng.tiie- total of the eteut'lost whic.ere-repo$ in the official less inMeu three German merchant vessels having been torpedoed without warn-hVi.

Britieh eubinarina. "without tn the- same German wire- Fuller news of the North Sea battle makes it clear that the early reports gave a wildly inaccurate idea of what happened. The notion that the Germans gained a success is now dispelled. Every indication now paints to the German losses having been heavier that the British, not only relatively but absolutely. That the enemy's list of their own casualties, is incorrect is certain.

The British Admiralty states as much in as many words. There is good reason to believe that tho Germans lost two battleships, two Dreadnought cruisers of the most powerful type, two of their newest light cruisers, two other, lieht cruisers, nine destroyers, and one submarine. One point to which attention may well be drawn because it reveals a lack of candour in Berlin is the German Admiralty's equivocation about the Elbing. At first nothing was said about this new light cruiser. The naval authorities even went so far as to inspire an American correspondent to inform the Associated Press by the Government wireless that except for the Pommern, the Wiesbaden, and tho Frauenlob, and a few destroyers all the German ships had returned to port.

Then came the landing in Holland of some survivors from the sunken Elbing, whereupon the enemy confessed to the loss. la. Hamburg, so says a traveller who has arrived in Copenhagen, the story goes that the Dreadnoughts Lutzow and the West-faleu went down. That some such rumours are current in Germany is suggested by a reference in Berlin official statement to "fantastic reports." The- battle-cruiser Lutzow, one the finest ships in the German navy, was completed for sea last year. She displaced tons, carried eight 12in.

guns and many smaller pieces, and had a speed of 27 knots. She was the enemy's equivalent of the Queen Mary. The Westfalen, a Dreadnought battleship, displacing 18,600 tons, had 6een seven years' service. She carried twelve llin. and many smaller guns.

In their four light cruisers alone tho Germans lose nearly 20,000. The "Wiesbaden and Elbing were too new to appear in the reference hooks. They are understood to have displaced over 5,000 each and to have been fast and strongly armed. Each of tho Hostook class, to which the third victim belonged, carried twelve 4.1in. guns, had a speed of 30 knots, and displaced 4.800 tons.

The fourth cruiser, the frauenlob, was an older, smaller, less valuable vessel. when the main nart of the Grand Fleet reached the scene of battle on the evening of May 31 the enemy hastened to break off the action. Sir John Jellicoe drove them! into port. Not before noon of the next day did ho return across tho North Sea to his bases. Bv the following evening he had recoaled and was again ready for sea.

Only ono ship of his battle squadrons, the super-Dreadnought Marlborough, which had been torpedoed, was unfit to take part immediately in a new engagement. Among the British casualties are two Bear Admirals the Hon. H. L. A.

Hood and Sir B. K. Arbuthnot, who went down with their flagships, the Invincible and the Defence. Admiral Hood, who was only 45 years of age, was a most brilliant officer. When he passed his examination for lien-tenant he gained the highest number of marks on record, 4,398 out of a nossible 4,600.

He won a number of important service prizes, became a noted gunnery specialist, and served with distinction in many difficult posts. Ho was Naval Attache at Washington, commandant of the Koyal IN aval College at Osborne, and Naval oecretary to tne nrst ixrd of the Admiralty. Early in the war he took com mand of the Dover patrols and directed repeated heavy bombardments of the German positions on the Belgian coasts. Sir It. K.

Arbuthnot, who was o2 years of aee. for many months flew his flag on a battle ship as second in command of one of Sir Joan Jeuicoe- battle squadrons. THE KING TO THE FLEET. "ROBBED OF A DECISIVE VICTORY." The King has sent the following reply to a message from Admiral Jellicoe on-the. occa sion of his Majesty's birthday: I am deeply touched by the message which you have sent me on' behalf of the 'Grand Fleet It reaches me on the morrow of a battle which has.

once more -displayed the splendid eallantrv of the officers and men under your command. I mourn, the loss of brave men, many of them personal -friends of my own, who have fallen tjieiri country's cause. 'J Yet even more do I regret that tb German High Seas Fleet, in epite of its heavytlaeeea was enabled by the misty faVevade the full' rnnseouenoes of an ericotinterSthev have always professed to desire but! for which when the oppnmty Thmish the retirement of the ehemv.immo- diately after the openin of the'fberal ren- caepmp-nt. TrvhV.wl iir of th'e ODTlOtlunitv of mining a last the valour and efflciiey ortnftW' under Thn Court. Bander Hubert I r.J terday afternoon; i Commander Daniuuther.

is oi tne two omcerBj repon.eu euv vv" BELGIUM' loo 200 badly The weather conditions were such that it is doubtful whether any. aircraft have been of much service. vi ne enemy spraoig.no surprises, we saw nothing of any No trick were used which were not already known in naval warfare. 'V Bits from Admirals' Repprjts if f', This, weather etionbiWsv.ti' bsijdnfc Juck on? fleet enaiantejedj as by following paragraph from the (31 a9 fflarajfromfa; fSfcriin'- 'of ectnsl. strengtn oi xne navy, tne: loss or personnel, While itreati is not serious, as we have nlentv bnjbithe deSt caOBed vnltxaaS taet 'J Admiral wnuse, fihtim? are naw famous all over the grown men are mostly in the navy.

It jSthis hghting ar e. nw jam ous 5 aisn of the snirit which moW, flMtt world-namely, flagBhip that this should be made a matter of almost Admiral Beatty, which; the Ueraans allege poignant regret bv the men themselves. We was sunk the Battte of the Dogger Bank are far more distant from the scene of action fifteen montbs ago, but which gave a magni-tlian our northerly much-gier. With' one nossiblo excention non--frttii'--batae; the Queen orrin ereryiaa Wbeter'ttbllieV'Cterj mmwmm ass ships that were engaged lias put in. Tbe'TiEer the Princess Woyaii ana the tadefatig- execption is a brand-new light cruiser, now lying in the harbour, which is said to havo seen something of the fag end of the fhrht The story accepted on shore is that tho 1-1 wui iai tiavoi (perhaps the last ship to leave the stocks) as making her final trials somewhere out in f.ifart;Jn?rI?.-W?W3' vAW North Sea when she noeired 'the-' signal follow the Grand Fleet.

ftiajt'nnc oeen xoia oi.ine losses tne-tier-i K3w--s siren a vimiv. iiiiLii.r:i.5ww immediately obeyed, and the had the experience, surely nmque iri naval his- firing line. She came out with flying colours, and she is hppn ln. nnn seems to have escaped virtually "unhurt Xiaosing at ner irom the shore there of any damage. 16 no Sign wm'im'msi Wm SffilKffl UsSt upirusxiine most, or uio wguiuflg the Invincible..