Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-07-04
ENEMY WELL INFORMED
Attacks Troop Ships This
Side of Danger Zone on
Night of June %.
MANY TORPEDOES LAUNCHED
All Miss Mark; Grenades Used
in Defense; Wreckage and
Oil Prove Hits Made.

WASHINGTON. July 3.-Safe ar
of the first American overseas expe-
dition was announced tonight by Sec.
retary Daniels In statement reveal
ing that twice on the way across tho
Atlantic. German submarines at
tackled the ships in force and were
fought off by conveying American
warships.
The Americans did not lose n man.
ship or animal. At least one OF the
undersea enemies was destroyed
The work of spies thru whom the
Germans knew secrets of the expe-
dition. is disclosed by the news that
the first attack was made far at sea,
before the transports and their con-
voys reached the point at which u
rendezvous had been arranged with
the American destroyer flotilla oper-
ating In European waters. The sub
marine commanders apparently knew
where and when to expect the Ameri-
cans bound for the fighting lines In
France. and were assembled In force
to meet them.
II was Just n week after the first
troops landed that the last vessels put
into a French port They were slower
''aAtf carrying supplies anu HOTsts.
The good news came to the navy
department late this afternoon from
Rear Admiral Glcaves, commanding
the convoy squadron, and was made
public at once as an appropriate an
nouncement on the eve OF the Fourth
of July. Secretary Daniels state
mcnt. which tells all of the story
deemed wise TO publish. follows:
Every Man Safely Landed.
at 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 1t is safe to disclose tho
dangers that were encountered and
to tell the complete story of peril and
courage.
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 tho
bottom.
For purposes OF convenience the
expedition was divided into con-
tlUtfUiSs tdNu contingent lncluuliS
troopships and naval escort de-
signed 10 keep OFF 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 dan
ger zone might he attended by every
possible protection.
Enemy Informed.
THE first attack took place at
i0:30 on the night OF June 22. What
gives It peculiar and disturbing sig
nlficance is that our ships were set
upon at point well this side of the
rendezvous and In that part of the
Atlantic presumably free from subma-
rines.
THE attack was made in force al
tho the night made impossible any
exact count OF the U-boats gathered
for what they deemed n slaughter.
THE high seas convoy, circling
with their searchlights. answered
with heavy gunfire and its accuracy
stands proved by the fact that the
torpedo discharge became increas-
ingly scattered and inaccurate. 1t Is
not known how many torpedoes were
launched but five were counted as
they sped by bow and stern
"a second attack was launched 4
few days later against another con-
tingent The point OF assault was be-
yond the rendezvous and our destroy
ers were sailing as a screen between
the transports and all harm. The re-
suits of the battle were in favor OF
American gnnnery
Wrcckage Proves Hit.
mot alone did the destroyers hold
the U-hoats at safe distance, but
their speed also resulted In the sink
ing OF ole submarine At least. Gre
nadcs were used in firing, a depths
charged explosive timed TO go off at
certain distance under water In
one instance oil and wreckage covered
the surface Of the sea after n shot
from destroyer Mt a periscope and
the reports make claim OF sinking
protected by our high seas con-.
vpy, by our destroyers and by French
war vessels, the contingent proceeded
and Joined the others in q French
port,
"The whole nation will rejoice that
so great peril Is passed for the van,
guard OF the men who Will fight our
battles IN France. No more thrilling
Fourth of July celebration could have
been arranged than this glad ncws