The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-04
Last Of Pershins's Force Ar
rived Yesterday and IL Now
Safe on French Soil
NAVAL SECRETS IN
HANDS OF GERMANS
U-Boat Flotilla In Wait For
Americans Outside Of Sub
marine Zone-To Be Fare
Reaching Probe

washington. July S.--Su1Cc1A~
fully resisting two attacks by en-
tire fleets of submarines which
had laid In wait for them, the
last of the transports bearing the
Pershing troops to France safely
arrived in a French port this af-
ternoon. The perils through
which the American expedition
airy forces passed on their voy.
age across the Atlantic were dis
closed tonight by Secretary OF the
Navy Daniels.
Two attacks on the transports
were made in force by U-boats.
Only the accuracy of the Amert-
can gunfire thwarted the U-boat
designs.
Torpedo after torpedo was
launched at the American YES
seds. The American gunncrs re-
turned the fire. One submarine
was known to have been sunk.
according to the secretary. and
it 10 believed others were sent to
the bottom. Not an American
life was lost. Not an American
ship was disabled. The trans
ports were conveyed by American
patrol boats
Secretary Daniels disclosed the
perils through which the troops had
..Joy of Great Relief"
ut is with the JOY of a great re-
lief that l announce to the people OF
the United States the safe arrival in
France of every fghtins man ana
every fighting shLpe-Now that the
last vessel hiss, reached port 1t is
safe to disclose the dangers that were
encountered and to tell the complete
story of peril and courage.
esr~l. -%c ~. $r<H
were twice attacked by German sub
marines on the way across. On both
occasions the J-boats were beaten OF
with every appearance OF loss. One
was certainly sunk and there Is rea-
son to believe that the accuracy or
our gunners sent others to the bot
tom.
For purposes OF convenience this
expedition was divided into contin-
gents. each contingent including the
troop ships and naval escort design
ed to keep off such German raidess
as might be met,
Rendezvous Arranged For.
"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 nrst
attack took place at 1890 on the
night OF June 81 What gives (
peculiar and disturbing significance 10
that our ships were set upon at .
point we'll this side of the rendezvous
and in that part of the Atlantic pre-
sumably free from submarines. Tho
attack was made in force, although
the night made it impossible for any
exact count of the U-boats gathered
for what they deemed a slaughter.
THE high sea convoy. circling WIN
their searchlights. answered with heavy
gunfire and it's accuracy stands proves
BY the fact that the torpedo discharge
became Increasingly scattered and tnasn.
curate. It is not known how many tor
pedoes were launched. but Ave wcfN
counted as they sped by bow and stecA
4 Second Attack.
"A second attack was launched fSW
DAYS later against another contin gent.
The point of assault was beyond the
rendezvous and-our-d estroyerA-- -Kera-
sailing as a screen between the traro-
ports and all harm The result OF tae
battle was in favor Of the Americas
gunnery.
Not alone did the destroyers hold
the U-bTats at a safe distance, but their
speed also resulted in the sinking ue
one submarine at least
"Grenades were used In hrinG, .
depth charge explosive timed to 60 OF
at certain distance under water. N
one instance oil and wreckage coveraA
the surface OF the sea after a shot from
a destroyer at a periscope and the res
| ports make claim Of sinking.
Protected by our high seas convex
| by our destroyers and by French war
vessels. the contingent proceeded ana
! Joined the others in a French port.
The whole nation will rejoice that
so great peril Is passed for thu
vanguard of the men who will tight
our battles In France. No more
thrilling Fourth of July celebration
could have been arranged than THU
glad news that lifts the shadow q
dread from the heart of America"
Baker Congratulates Daniels.
Immediately upon receipt Of thu
news Secretary OF War Baker sent
the following telegram to Secretary
Daniels.
j MY dear Secretary:
Word has just come to the ~
tpartnent thar the last ships convQys
ing General Pershings expedttt0naxy
forces to France arrived safe t04na1
As you know, the navy assumA4 3D
Il Responsibility for the safety of k11
ships on the - and throNG
danger soassA Tho shipe
81 81