Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-07-05
ALLEGED ATTACK ON
u. S. TRANSPORTS

ALLENIEU Al lACh ON
u. S. TRANSPORTS
Announcement Made That German
Submarines in Force Sought to Am
bush Ships Carrying Psrshins's
Men.
Washington, July 5.-American de-
stroyers conveying transports with
troops for France fought off two sub
marine attacks.
The first news Of the fights was
given out late Tuesday by the COM
mittee on public information with for
NAL announcement of the safe arrival
Of the last Of the transports with their
conveys.
. At least one submarine was sunk.
Both Of the attacks were made in
force. showing that the Germans had
Information Of the coming Of the
transports and planned to sink them.
Real July 4 Reading.
Accompanying the public informa-
ton bureaus announcement Secretary
Daniels In Washington issued state
ment in which he declared that the
whole nation will rejoice that so great
q peril Is passed for the vanguard OF
men who will fight the nations battle
in France.
No more thrilling Fourth of July
celebration could have been arranged
than this glad news that lifts the
shadow of dread from the heart OF
America" he said.
Navy Tells Glad News.
The announcement describing the
U-boat attack on the American ships
follows:
"The navy department at : o'clock
this afternoon received word OF the
safe arrival at q French port Of the
last contingent Of Gen. Persnings ex-
petitionary force. At the time the In
formation was released announcement
also was made that the transports were
twice attacked by submarines on the
way across.
"No ship was hit, not an American
life was lost and while the navy dis,
patches report the sinking of one sub
marine only. there Is reason to. believe
that others were destroyed in the frs.
night A1tael I. ..4
2 Daniels Tells of Attacks.
The Daniels statement which accom-
panied the publicity bureaus report
says: I'll.
1T is with the joy Of great relief
that announce to the people Of the
United States the safe arrival in
France of every fighting man and every
fighting ship.
Now that the last vessel has reached
port it Is safe to disclose the dangers
complete story Of peril and courage.
Twice Targets Of v. Boats.
The transports bearing our troops
were twice attacked by German sub
marines on the way across. On both
occasions the U-boats were beaten off
with every appearance Of loss. One
was certainly sunk, and there is rea-
son to believe that the accurate fire
Of our gunners sent others to the bot
tom.
For purposes Of convenience the ex-
pedition was divided into contingents.
each contingent including troop ships
and naval escort designed to keep of
such German raiders as might be met.
An ocean rendezvous had also been
arranged with the American destroy
ers now operating In European waters
in order that the passage Of the danger
zone might be attended by every pos
stble protection. "
First Attack on June 22.
Tho first attack took place at 10:36
on tho night OF June ~. What gives 1t
peculiar and disturbing Significance is
that our ships were set upon at a point
well this side Of the rendezvous and in
that part Of the Atlantic presumably
free from submarines.
''FThe attack was made in force, .altho
the night made impossible any exact
count OF the U-boats gathered for
what they deemed q slaughter.
'.The hiRh seas convoy. circling with
their searchlights, answered with heavy
gun dire, and It's accuracy stands
proved by the. fact that the torpedo
discharge became increasingly scat
tered and Inaccurate. It u not known
how many torpedoes were launched,
but five were counted as they sped by
bow and stern. 81
"a second attack was launched q few
days later against another contingent.