Worlds War Events - Volume 3 | Page 9

the officers
and a few selected men stayed on board, and the rest pulled off in the
darkness singing, "Are we downhearted? No!" and "Hail, hail, the
gang's all here." She floated, though with her deck awash; the boats
were recalled, and they brought her in. She is fixed up and back in the
game again now.
OCTOBER 25.
[Sidenote: British destroyers fight raiders.]
[Sidenote: The Admiral strict as a Prussian.]
Where did you hear that about two destroyers being sunk off the coast

of Ireland on September 3? False alarm. Of course, you have read in the
papers about the convoy destroyed in the North Sea by German raiders.
The two British destroyers with the convoy stood up to them and
fought as a bulldog would fight a tiger--and with the same result.
Somebody was arguing with the Admiral, our boss, to the effect that it
would have been better for them to have saved themselves, trailed the
raiders, and sent radio, so that the British cruisers could have
intercepted and destroyed them. Said the Admiral, "Yes, it would have
been better, but I would court-martial and shoot the man that did it."
He's a wonder to serve under, as grim and strict as a Prussian, but very
just, and runs things in a way that secures all our admiration--though
we may fuss a bit when, expecting two or three comfortable days in
port, we get chased out on short notice into a raving gale outside.
A BRITISH DOCK YARD, NOVEMBER 4.
[Sidenote: A friend on hospital duty.]
There are lots of our army people here. Some of them are just passing
through, while others are stationed at near-by training camps or
hospitals. I was wandering around the big hotel here, when I saw a
familiar face in army uniform, and who should it be but M----. Much
joy! He is near here, on temporary duty at a British hospital. I had him
over to the ship for lunch, and hope to see him again. I certainly respect
that boy. He has no military ambitions, and wishes the war were over,
so he could get back to his wife and children; but he answered the call
while others were hiding behind volleys of language, and he is here to
see it through. I am afraid he is homesick and lonely, for it is harder for
a boy who does not know the English than for us hardened mercenaries,
who are accustomed to hobnob with everybody from Cubans to
Cossacks.
[Sidenote: The American uniform and the British.]
I will be glad when American Army and Navy uniforms are designed
by a tailor who really knows something about it. Alas, our people are
distinctly inferior to the British in the cut of their jib. I think it is the
high standing collar that queers us. It is only at its best when one stands

at Attention--head up, chest out, arms at side--being distinctly a parade
uniform. The British, with their rolling collar, and coat tight where it
may be, and loose where it needs to be, are, you might say, less military
and better dressed.
Tell the Enfant that I am very proud when he gets gold honor-marks on
his school-papers, and I think that it probably means about the same as
a star on a midshipman's collar. (That ought to get him.)
I must close and get a bit of sleep. It seems as if, when it is all over, all
the heaven I will want, is to be with you and son again, perfectly quiet.
AT SEA, NOVEMBER 16.
[Sidenote: True democracy is in a way inefficient.]
I think a true democracy is necessarily inefficient in a way. The only
really efficient government in the world is the one which we intend to
pull down, or else go down ourselves, trying to!
Can't you imagine, in the dim Valhalla beyond, how the archer of
Pharaoh, the swordsman from the plains before Troy, and the Roman
legionary will greet the hurrying souls of the aviator, the bomb-thrower,
and the bayonet-man with, "Brother, what were you?"
I'd hate to have to explain to their uncomprehending ears what a
conscientious objector is!
DECEMBER 2.
[Sidenote: Assuming command.]
Well, to-day is one of the big days of my life, for I assumed command
of this little packet. I put on my sword and fixings and reported to
Captain Paine, who was most benevolent. Several of us went on shore
to celebrate with a little dinner. Some of the boys just over joined in,
and we became involved with some Highland officers of a fighting
regiment famous throughout Europe for the last three hundred years.

One's first ship, like the first baby is an event that cannot be duplicated.
DECEMBER 21.
[Sidenote: A jammed rudder leaves the