The following exchange of greetings between the heads of the navies of
the United States and Great Britain was made public:
_Washington, April 5, 1918._
MY DEAR SIR: Your references to the splendid spirit of
co-operation between the navies of our two countries, and your
warm praise of the officers and men of the navy who have gone
abroad, have been most grateful to me and to the men in the
navy and to all Americans. The brightest spot in the tragedy of
this war is this mutual appreciation of the men in the naval
service. Our officers who have returned confirm the statements of
Vice Admiral Sims of the courtesies and kindness shown in every
way by the Admiralty and officers of the British fleet, and we
have reciprocated by receiving cordially the able and efficient
officers who have come from your country to confer and work elbow
to elbow with our officers in the difficult work which this war
imposes upon the naval service of all the countries allied in the
war against the submarine menace.
I had hoped to have the pleasure of visiting Great Britain and
personally expressing this feeling of mutual working together
and of exchanging views, but the task here of making ready more
and more units for the fleet is a very serious one, and my duty
chains me here. The order in all the navy is "full speed ahead"
in the construction of destroyers and other craft, and the whole
service is keyed up to press this programme forward as rapidly
as possible. Therefore I shall not have the pleasure until
this program shall materialize better and better of personal
acquaintance and conference, which would be of such interest and
value.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) JOSEPHUS DANIELS.
Sir Eric Geddes, First Lord of the Admiralty, London.
* * * * *
_April 23._
DEAR MR. DANIELS: I am exceedingly grateful to you for your letter
of April 5, in which you thank me for the public reference which
I have made to the very cordial relations which exist between the
navies of our two countries. As you know, we all of us here have
a great admiration for your officers and men and for the splendid
help which they are giving in European waters; and, further, we
find Vice Admiral Sims invaluable in counsel and co-operation.
I fully appreciate how onerous your office must be at the present
time; and much though I regret that you do not see your way to
visiting this country in the near future, I hope that we may some
day have the pleasure of welcoming you here. Yours sincerely,
(Signed) E. C. GEDDES.
* * * * *
_Commander in Chief's Office,_
_Queenstown, May 4._
On the anniversary of the arrival of the first United States
men-of-war at Queenstown, I wish to express my deep gratitude to
the United States officers and ratings for the skill, energy, and
unfailing good nature which they have all consistently shown, and
which qualities have so materially assisted the war by enabling
the ships of the allied powers to cross the ocean in comparative
freedom.
To command you is an honor, to work with you is a pleasure, and to
know you is to know the best traits of the Anglo-Saxon race.
(Signed) LEWIS BAYLY,
Admiral, Commander in Chief.