Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-07-04
AMERICAN ARMY
LANDS IN FRANCE;
T0.FRONT SOON
U. S. Troops Given Warm Wei
come by ThrongS.
2 CONTINENTS WERE SENT
People Surprised When Big Trans
ports Arrive and City Is Soon Be-
tagged in Honor of the ocea-
sion-Harbor Dotted With
Conveys.

A French Seaport, June 2S.-The
second contingent of American troops
arrived and disembarked in the morn
ing.
The troops landed amid the frantic
cheers of the people, who had gath
cred hours before In anticipation of
duplicating yesterdays surprise. En-
thusiasm rose to fever pitch when It
was learned that the transports and
conveys had successfully passed the
submarine zone. The port was quickly
bef1agged in honor of the occasion.
Troops Are Transferred to Camp.
All the troops now here were trans
ferred TO camp not far distant from
this point, where Maj Gen. William L.
Sibert is installed. Thence they prob
ably will go soon to a point near the
front. All the troops are in excellent
condition. enthusiastic over the sue
cessful trip and their reception and
eager for action.
Major General Pershing, the Ameri-
can commander. is expected today
Harbor Is Dotted With Conveys
The harbor is dotted with conveys
The streets are filled with soldiers in
khaki and with bluejackets. Great
numbers of trucks are transporting i'm
mense supplies to the camp in which
the troops are concentrating.
although this dispatch refers to the
Second contingent" it constitutes the
first official announcement of the land
ing of United States troops.)
Epochal Landing of Troops.
Washington, June 2S.-The epochal
landing of American troops in France
cannot be fully discussed at this time
for obvious reasons concerning the
safety of other contingents.
1t is entirely permissible to say that
they are part of the force which will he
under command of Major General
Pershing and for whose arrival the
general and his staff have been arrang-
Ing ever since they landed on the other
side. The American troops viii be an
entirely independent command. Just as
are the British troops, working. Of
course. with the French at the head OF
operations. as they are on French soil.
When the troops bNve had their
period of preparation aehird the lines
they will take a place on the battle
front. to be arranged by General Perish
ing, in consultation with the other
military chiefs there. and probably will
very soon be carrying the Stars and
Stripes in the assaults which steadily
are driving the Germans out of France
and Belgium.
All the Troops Regulars.
All the troops under General Perish
ings command are regulars and com
prise the division which President VIII
son directed to proceed to France at
the earliest possible time"
Information of what other troop
movements may be made is surrounded
by censorship to insure as far as pos
sible safe voyage through the subma-
rine zone.
1t is not permissible to say what
precautions were taken to get the
American troop ships past the waiting
German submarines, but there is no
doubt that the precautions were care
fully worked out.
1t is generally believed that some
time ago most of the German subma-
rine feet was withdrawn from its at
tack on commercial shipping to make
1t ready to ambush the American troop
ships in force.
(The reference in the cable dis
patches of yesterdays surprise was re-
ceived without comment, but obviously
records the landing of contingent not
recorded in the cable messages.)