The Washington herald., 1917-07-01
U-BOAT SCARE
e.. given TROOPS
Correspondent Who Ac-
companied U. S. Force
Describes Voyage.
BY DANIEL DILLON,

International News Service staf Correspondent
who accompanied the first American cxpe-
dictionary force on its trip TO France.
American Headquarters in France,
June Il delayed by sor).-Success-
fully threading the submarine peril and
the mine fields. the first group of the
American forces that are TO fight in
France have arrived unharmed.
The voyage across the Atlantic was
made with the greatest secrecy and
was marked by the solemnity of men
who know that they have a stern task
upon the hands.
The American transports encountered
a heavy mist, but the wet weather
cleared.
The trip was a pleasant one and
greatly enjoyed by the soldiers, es-
pecially those who had never before
crossed the Atlantic.
Some Of the men suffered from spells
Of seasiCkness. but this wore OF and
the general health of the troops was
splendid when they landed on French
soil.
Abandon ship and submarine de-
Tense drills and target practice was
the order OF the day. The guns were
manned all the time.
Some of the nights were foggy. but
did not interfere with the progress
of the transports and the voyage was
made on schedule time.
The arrival of the Yankee soldiers
was marked by cordial demonstrations
Of friendship by the French.
Land was first sighted from the
transports on Monday night after an
exciting trip through the submarine
zone. Frequent warnings of sub
marines operating in the expeditions
course were received during the last
few days of the voyage, and the
passage through the war zone was
made at high speed.
The men were prepared for every
emergency during this period. Boats
and life-rafts were placed so as to be
quickly available, and the watches
heavily REINFORCED.
Weather conditions during the entire
voyage were ideal. and the men ar
rived in excellent health. The days
were warm and the nights cool and
comfortable, while the sea was
unusually smooth.
wild Welcome.
A wild welcome was shrieked by
whistles of craft in the harbor and
cries of "Vive la France" and "NiVe
les Etats Unism" seemed to come from
every throat in the crowd, which was
thickly dotted with the vari-colored
uniforms of French soldiers and sail
ors. Meanwhile, the bands on the war
ships were playing the Star Spangled
Banner" and the "Marseillaise" as the
American colors were hoisted to their
staffs.
The town soon took on a holiday
appearance, and before the day was
over scores of American flags were
flying, along with the Tri-Color of
France, over public buildings and pri-
vate homes.
Delegations of American army otfi-
GERS from Paris and American naval
men from elsewhere were present,
with French military men of high rank
and a similar representation from the
French navy to receive the new fight
ing forces Of the allies.
Gen. Pershing, the American COM
mander; Gen. Pelletier, representing
French general headquarters, and
small stan arrived here early this
morning from Paris. A pouring rain
and the early hour kept all but a few
hundred enthusiastic townspeople at
home, but those who were on hand
welcomed the general warmly.
Gen. Pershing will confer with Gen.
- this morning. He will then visit
Admiral Glsavss on the nsgship this
sttsrnoon. y