There were many instances where a man showed more interest in the safety of another than he did for himself.  When loading the boats from the rafts one man would hold back and insist that another be allowed to enter the boat.  There was a striking case of this kind when about dark I noticed that Chief Master-at-Arms Rogers, who was rather an old man, and been in the Navy for years, was on a raft, and I sent a boat to take him from the raft, but he objected considerably to this, stating that he was quite all right, although as a matter of fact he was very cold and cramped from his long hours on the raft.

[Sidenote:  The Balsa rafts excellent.]

Fortunately, the splendid type of life raft known as the Balsa raft, as it was made of balsa wood, had been furnished the ship, and these resulted in saving a great many men who might otherwise have been lost, due to exhaustion in the water.

[Sidenote:  Inspiring conduct of the men.]

The conduct of the men during this time of grave danger was thrilling and inspiring, as a large percentage of them were young boys, who had only been in the Navy for a period of a few months.  This is another example of the innate courage and bravery of the young manhood of America.

* * * * *

The Germans, hard pressed by the Americans and French in the Meuse-Argonne, and by the British in Flanders, at last saw the futility of further resistance, and asked for an armistice, on November 11.  The terms of this armistice, dictated by the Allies, were as follows: 

ARMISTICE TERMS SIGNED BY GERMANY

[Sidenote:  Operations to cease.]

One—­Cessation of operations by land and in the air six hours after the signature of the armistice.

[Sidenote:  Invaded countries to be evacuated.]

Two—­Immediate evacuation of invaded countries:  Belgium, France, Alsace-Lorraine, Luxemburg, so ordered as to be completed within fourteen days from the signature of the armistice.  German troops which have not left the above-mentioned territories within the period fixed will become prisoners of war.  Occupation by the allied and United States forces jointly will keep pace with evacuation in these areas.  All movements of evacuation and occupation will be regulated in accordance with a note annexed to the stated terms.

[Sidenote:  Inhabitants to be repatriated.]

Three—­Repatriation beginning at once to be completed within fifteen days of all the inhabitants of the countries above enumerated (including hostages, persons under trial or convicted).

[Sidenote:  Surrender of war material.]

Four—­Surrender in good condition by the German armies of the following war material:  Five thousand guns (2,500 heavy, and 2,500 field), 25,000 machine guns, 3,000 minenwerfer, 1,700 airplanes (fighters, bombers—­firstly, all of the D 7’s and all the night bombing machines).  The above to be delivered in situ to the allied and United States troops in accordance with the detailed conditions laid down in the note (annexure No. 1) drawn up at the moment of the signing of the armistice.