VII.  HOSPITAL FACILITIES, SICK QUARTERS, ETC.

[Sidenote:  Excellent hospitals at naval bases.]

It is deemed worthy of note that the arrangements and facilities for caring for the sick and injured Navy personnel are almost more than ample.  In many of the naval-base hospitals the majority of the patients are, consequently, of other services—­both the United States and the allied.  The provisions of the United States Navy in this respect are so complete in their facilities and so efficient in their readiness as to excite the admiration of all the foreign services, military as well as naval.

[Sidenote:  Hearty cooperation with British and French.]

As has already been said at the beginning of this report, cooperation with the British and the French had been the chief method of work for the United States naval forces in European waters.  That cooperation has been effected with such cordial appreciation and the few minor difficulties have yielded so readily to sympathetic understanding that all zeal displayed was in the common interest of “winning the war” that there is and can be nothing but reciprocal praise for each other’s efforts, which will be of lasting benefit in future when the present compelling community of interest is no longer operative.  The United States and the allies know each other better individually and collectively and are and will continue to be the greater and better friends for the experience that has come out of the cordial cooperation and coordination required by the common interest in this war.

[Sidenote:  Spirit of men and officers.]

There is ample evidence on every hand, from the north of Scotland to the shores of the Mediterranean, that officers and men of the naval service, regular and reserve alike and together, have “turned to” on the work in hand, inspired by the guiding idea of doing all in their power, however humble the task, of “helping to win the war.”  Officers whose preference is for duty at sea, men who came over with a view to doing battle with the enemy, one and all, have done and are doing the work that comes to hand, even to the digging of ditches, with a will and with a cheery readiness for more of the same kind, for anything that will help to “get on with the war,” that is an inspiration to all who work with them and of vast satisfaction to those over them who will know what their preferences in the matter of war employment are.  They are a credit to the service and to their country.

[Sidenote:  High standard of conduct.]

Furthermore, this large body of men, which occupies the position of the advance guard of the Navy, as a whole have so conducted themselves as to earn the highly favorable comment of the citizens in whose country they found themselves and whose guests they are in some measure.  It is believed that it may well be said that the men on duty in Europe, far away from home ties and influences, will return to their own country unharmed by the temptations and pitfalls which their relatives and friends may have feared.  They are a fine, upstanding lot of men, and their adaptability and efficiency have been so apparent as to fully warrant the oft-made statement that the men of the United States Navy, which includes the Marine Corps, can do anything, anywhere, and at any time.