Norwich bulletin., 1917-07-04

Washington, July 5.-Safe arrival at a French port of the last ships of the first American overseas expedition was announced tonight by Secretary Dan fels in statement revealing that twice on the way across the Atlantic German submarines attacked in force and were fought off by conveying war ships.
 The Americans did not lose a man, a ship or an animal At least one of the u=dersea enemies was destroyed.
 The work Of spies, through whom the Germans knew secrets of the ex- that the first attack was made far at sea before the transports and their conveys reached the point at which a rendezvous had been arranged with the American destroyer foti1la operat- ing in European waters. The subma- rine commanders apparently knew where and when to expect the Ameri- cans bound for the fighting lines in France, end were assembled in force to meet them.
 It was just a week after the first troops landed that the last vessels put into the French port They were slow
 The good news came to the navy de- partment late this afternoon from Rear Admiral G1eaves, commanding the convoy squadron. and made public at once as an appropriate announce ment on the eve of the Fourth of July. Secretary Daniels statement, which tells of the story deemed wise to publish follows:
 Secretary Daniels Statement.
 Tt is with the joy of great relief that I announce to the people of the United States the safe arrival if1 France of every fighting man and ev- cry fighting ship.
 Now That the last vessel has reach ed port. it is safe to disclose the dang CTS that were encountered. and to tell If he anl4I I courage.
 Twice Attacked by U-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 req son to believe that the accurate fire of our gunners sent others to the bot tom.
 For the purpose of convenience. the expedition was divided into contfng- ents, each contingent including troop ships and a naval escort designed to keep off such German raiders as might be met.
 "'An ocean rendezvous had also been arranged with the American destroy CTS now operating fin European waters tn order that the passage of the dang CT zone might be attended by every possible protection
 First Attack at 1o.3o at Niqht.
 The first attack took place at 1o.3o 1 on the night of June 22. What gives 1t peculiar and disturbing sfgnffcance is that our ships were set upon ct a | point well this side of the rendezvous | and in that part of the Atlantic pre- | sunnably free from submarines.
 The attack was made in force, all | though the night made impossible any exact count of the U-Boats gathered | For what they deemed a slaughter. ne hlgh seas convoy, circ1ing with l their searchhghts. answered with 1 heavy gun fire and it's accuracy stands proved by the fact th9t the torpedo | discharge became increasingly scat | tered and inaccurate. It is not known | how many torpedoes were launched. | bow and stern.
 Second Attack.
 "A second attack was launched a | Few days later against another con- tngeut- The point of assault was be- yoTd the rendezvous and our destroy CTS were sailing as a screen between the transports and all harm. The re- suits of the battle were in favor of American gunnery.
 One U-Boat, at Least, Sunk. Not alone did the destroyers hold the U-boats at a safe distance, but their speed also resulted in the sink ing of one submarine at least. Gren- ades were used in firing. depth | charge explosive timed to go off at a certain distance under water Tn one instance oil and wreckage covered the surface of the sea after a shot from a destroyer et perfscope and the re- ports make claim Of sinking
 Protected by oar nigh seas con ll voy. by our destroyers and by French war vessels, the contingent proceeded and joined the others in a French port The whole nation will rejoice that |; 20 great a peril is passed for the van g1ard Of fine men who will fight our