Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-17
DESTROYER SMITH HAS
CLOSE SHAVE IN
NIGHT ATTACK
At OUR VERY DOOR
PRESENCE OF SUBMERsIBLE
CAUSES GOVERNMENT TO
TIGHTEN UP GUARD ON ATTAIN.
TIC COAST-TORPEDo FAILED
BY THIRTY YARDS.

Boston, April 17--Germany has
brought the war to the very doors OF
the United States.
The first engagement in the conflict
between the United States and Ger
many was fought today when a Ger.
man submarine attacked the American
torpedo boat destroyer Smith, 40 miles
off the Long Island coast. A torpedo
was fired at the Smith but missed by
about 30 yards. The submarine then
'ubmerged and escaped.
Official news of the attack was re-
ceived at the Charleston Navy Yard
by wireless from the scout cruiser
Chester.
The Smith had reported to the Ches-
ter immediatly after the attack
The point where the submarine ap-
peared is in the main steamer lane In
the Atlantic ocean off Long Island.
The location Of the attack was
where steamships going or coming
from New York would pass.
Tie Smith is one of feet of cruis-
ers that have been patrolling the
United States seaboard. AS soon as
she was attacked radiogram was
flashed to the cruiser Chester. the To-
cation OF which has not been revealed.
The first wireless did not mention
whether the cruiser Smith fired on the
submarine, but 1t is assumed by local
navy authorities that she did.
Tie radiogram received at Charles
town follows
Fire Island, N. Y, April H.,
3:25A M.--Chester Naval Station
Boston, Naval Station. New York,
Latitude 40; longitude 70, April
II, $3.50 A. M.-Apparently sight
ed enemy submarine fred torpedo,
missed United States steamship
Smith 80 yards. Wake plainly
seen crossing bow. Submarine dis
appeared.
(Signed) "U. s. s. Smith"
Menace Realty.
Washington, April l7-Germany's
submarine menace is today reality
to the United States. An underwater
craft of the Kaiser's navy made an un.
Successful effort to sink the destroyer
Smith on patrol duty off the Atlantic
coast early today The submarine
was submerging when it was discov-
cred and the Smith lodged its tor
pedo, which missed the bow Of the de-
stroyed by some 80 yards.
Confirmation of the attack came
from Commander Belknap, the Navy
Department censor, to whom the first
news of the encounter was conveyed
by the International News Service. At
first naval officials were skeptical be.
cause no official report had been made
to the department. Later both the
confirmed the report.
The news Of the attack causel little
surprise here, however, inasmuch as
the presence in the American waters
Of German submarines has been sus-
pected for some time. Officials believe
that this submarine and possibly 9TH
ers are lying in wait In the steamship
lane for the vessels which are con.
yeying the British and French war
missions to the United States. The
report Of the attempt TO sink the
Smith was communicated by wireless
to the scout cruiser Chester then by
wireless via the Fire Island Station.
to Boston and New York. Immediate
~ the word was send broadcast to the
entire Atlantic fleet and the various
squadrons of destroyers and subma-
zine ehasers which are guarding the
steamship lanes.
According to the account reaching
Washington, which differed slightly
from the rerorts from Boston. the
lookout on the Smith sighted dark
shape some distance about 1880 this
morning. IIie alarm was at once given
but the dark shape disappeared and
almost Immediately thereafter the
wake of torpedo was sighted plainly.
II passed across the bow of the de-
stroyer some 30 yards ahead.
The Smith Immediately steamed di.
rectly for the spot where the suhma-
rine had been seen but 1t was not
sighted,
II is supposed that Il submerged and
made off in the darkness. The navy