Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-11-05
Trench Salient Cut Off by
Barrage Fire From Rest
of Line and Americans
Forced to Yield.
Attack Made on Men in
Training in First Line
Trenches-Germans Com
plete Operations Before
Reinforcements Arrived.

Washington. Nov. S. - The first
American casualty list growing out of
an actual clash between American and
German soldiers came back to the
homes and hearts Of this country to-
day. The list carried the names of
three killed, five wounded and IL cap
tured or missing.
The war department gave out the
honor roll Of those who died, were
wounded and are missing as a result of
a sudden thrust into an American
training salient by the Germans on
Nov, 3.
In the first casualties many states
are represented. No statement is made
as to the fighting of the American
troops but they were picked men--in
training to train others for active SER
vice-and that they gave a good ac-
accepted as unquestionable.
CUT OFF BY FIRE.
The war department states that the
German attack was preceded by
heavy barrage which cut off the Amer
lean salient from the rest of the line.
The attack was apparently designed
for the positive purpose of capturing
some Americans, possibly in the hope
of ascertaining the strength of Per-
shings forces in France and other In
formation to guide future efforts of the
enemy.
When the official announcement
came that three Americans are dead,
five wounded and 12 missing" in the
first actual brush with the Germans, a
thrill went through the whole country.
NO BLooDLEsS PART.
Immediately the war department.
was besieged with inquiries from anx-
ious homes as to the names Of those
lost. The news brought to America its
first distinct appreciation that her part
in the great world struggle is not to
be bloodless one-that the cables are
certain to bring more and more fire.
quently the message that American
soldiers have died in bitter fighting.
With the word of captured Sammies
on the French front. the Red Cross i'm
mediately, fastened plan for rushing
food and other supplies to the Amer
lean prisoners. through a committee
just established in Berne, Switzerland.
ATTACK BEFORE DAYLIGHT.
Attacking before daylight under pro-
lection of a heavy barrage fire which
cut the American salient off from the
rest of the line, the Germans appar-
emily completed their operations before
reinforcements could reach them.
No word in Pershing's statement in
Hcates the extent of the Americans
part in the fighting. An ordinary
trench salient holds between 25 and
80 men. so it would appear the little
force of Sammies was practically wip-
ed out. That wounded German" was
taken prisoner. however, shows that
fight was put up before the Americans
yielded. The size of the attacking
force and German losses are not CIV
en-. The war department has cabled for
full details.
ANNOUNCED AT BERLIN.
First announcement of the capture of
North Americans" was made by Berlin
Saturday. 1t was stated a "reconnoit-
ering party" brought them in from
point on the Rhine Marne canal. This
would Indicate that Pershing's men are
on one of the main roads to Lorraine
where the Germans advanced in their
great drive Of 1914 and where early In
the war, some OF the fiercest fight
ing OF the period took place. For two
years the sector has been more or less
quiet.
The principal point, war department
officials say, Is that all Germany now
knows Americans are in the front line
trenches a fact that Germany has
been trying to keep secret. The Ger
man attitude Is indicated by her sue
cinct statement that North Amer
leans" were prisoners pot specifying
that they were the first captured OF
Pershings men. 4
ATTACK EXPECTED.
Having located some OF the American
forces. officials believe the crown
prince. whose army is opposite the
Continued ON Page Two.)