Omaha daily bee., 1917-07-04

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
This announcement was issued:
"The navy department at S o'clock
this afternoon received word of the
safe arrival at French port of the
last contingent Of General Pershing's S
expeditionary force. At the time the
information was released announce
ment was made that the transports
were twice attacked by submarines on
the way across.
mo ship was hit, not an American
life was lost and while the navy dis
patches report the sinking of only
one submarine, there is reason to be-
lieve that others were destroyed in
the first night attack.
Washington, July 3.-Secretary
Daniels made this statement:
ut is with the joy of a great relief
that ! announce to the people of the
United States the safe arrival in
France of every fighting man and
every fighting ship.
Safe to Disclose Dangers.
"Now- that the last vessel has reach
ed port, it is safe to disclose the
dangers that were encountered and TO
tell the complete story of peril and
courage.
"The transports bearing our troops
we're 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
certa:ss::sy was sunk and there is reason
10 believe the accurate fire of Our gum
ners sent others to the bottom.
"For purposes of convenience, the
expedition was divided into con-
tingents. each contingent including
troop ships and naval escort de-
signed to keep off such German raid
crs as might be met
AN ocean rendezvous had also
been arranged with the American de-
stroyers now operating in European
waters in order that the passage of
the danger zone might be attended
by every possible protection.
The First Attack
"The first attack took place at 1880
on the night of June p. What gives
it peculiar and disturbing significance,
is that our ships were set upon at a
point we'll this side of the rendezvous,
and in that part of the Atlantic pre-
srmably free from submarines.
The attack was made i'll force, al
though the night made impossible any
exact count of the U-boats gathered
for what they deemed slaughter.
THE high seas convoy circling with
their searchlight, answered with
heavy gun fire and its accuracy
proved the fact that the torpedo dis
charge became increasingly 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 a
few days later against another con-
tingent. The point of assault was be.
yond the rendezvous and Our de-
stroyers were sailing as screen be-
tween the transports and all harm
The results of the battle were in favor
of American gunnery.
One Diver 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, a depth
charge explosive timed to go off al
a certain distance under water Ir
one instance, oil and wreckage GOV.
cred the surface of the sea after Z
shot from a destroyed at periscopt
and the reports make claim of sink
ing
protected by our high seas convoy
by our destroyers, and by French wal
vessels, the contingent proceeded anc
joined the others in a French port.
THE whole nation will rejoice tina
so great a peril is passed for the van
guard of the men who will fight oui
battles in France. No more thrilling
Fourtho July celebration could have
been arranged than this glad new'
that lifts the shadow of dread from
the heart of America"