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quitted itself so magnificently in the world's great crisis. Gentlemen, I ask you to rise and 

 drink the health of Great Britain's King-, George V. (Applause.) 



The company then rose, drank the toast to King George, and joined in singing "God 

 Save the King." 



The President: — As in all such world-wide crises, the glory is not confined to one 

 nation. There were many allies, and all participated in the glorious achievements of the war. 

 But, as Britain furnished the first and greatest naval bulwark, so France, loved by all, may 

 be regarded as representative of all the allies in military operations, since she bore the great 

 brunt of the fighting on land. It is therefore our privilege to rise and salute all the Allies 

 and drink a toast "To France, wishing her all possible prosperity." (Applause.) 



The company rose and drank the toast, and joined in singing the Marseillaise. 



The President : — It had been the hope of our Society that this toast would have been 

 responded to in person by the representative of France in this country, who also is Dean of 

 the Diplomatic Corps. He is a man of rare attainments and great personal charm, and I 

 deeply regret that you will not have the pleasure of having him here. In a very graceful 

 note, however, he expressed his great regret, and I take the liberty of reading it to you. 



"Washington, October 31, 1919. 



"My dear Admiral : I apologize for my delay in answering your most kind and sin- 

 cerely appreciated invitation. I was in hopes to see my way clear and be able to absent my- 

 self from Washington at the appointed date. Greatly to my regret, I find that my obliga- 

 tions here will not allow me this pleasure and honor, and I am, I assure you, very sorry not 

 to be able to meet those naval architects who have done wonders and put the American Navy 

 in such shape that it could transfer to France enormous armies without the German submarine 

 being able to touch any of the transports conveying troops to France, but only to reach a 

 very few semi-empty ones on their way home. 



"Nothing would have pleased me more than to be able to express to your fellow-mem- 

 bers of the Society of Naval Architects the gratitude of my country and the sincerest con- 

 gratulations for the splendid work achieved by them. 



"Believe me, with best regards and sincere thanks, 



" Very truly yours, 



"(Signed) Jusserand." 



In the autumn of 1917, affairs were going very badly for our associates in Europe. 

 There was at that time in Washington a gentleman who held a very conspicuous place in the 

 government service and was also one of my most esteemed colleagues on duty with the 



