The Washington herald., 1917-07-04
Divided Into Con,inEcuts.

For purposes OF convenience the
expedition was divided into Contin-
gents. each contingent including troop
ships and a naval escort desiCned 20
keep of such German raiders as nigh:
be met.
An ocean rendczvo has also be,n
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 took place al / 30
on the night Of June - What gives
it peculiar and disturbing significance
is that our ships were set upon al a
point well this side OF the rendezvous
and in that part OF the Atlantic pre-
sumably free from submarines.
The attack was made in force,
although the night made impossible
any exact count Of the C-bosts
gathered for what they deemed a
slaughter.
The high seas convoy. ciucling with
their searchlghts, answered with
heavy gunhre. and its accuracy STANDS
proved by the fact thai the torpedo
discharge became increasingly scatter
ed and inaccurate. II is not known
how many torpedoes were launched.
but five were counted as they sped
by bow and stern.
second Attack Made.
"A second attack was launched
few days later against another con-
tinEent. The point Of assault Was be-
yond the rendezvous and oUr destroy
,rs were sailing az screen between
the transports and all harm. The re-
suits OF the hattie were in favor OF
American gunnery.
Not alone did the destroycrs hold
the C-boats at e distance, but
their speed also resulted in the sink
ing of one submarine at least. Gren-
ades were used in rirIng. a depth
charge explosive timed to so on at a
certain distance under water. In one
instance oil and wreckage covered the
surface OF the sea after a shot from
a destroyer at a pcrisCope. and the
reports make claim Of sinking.
Protected by our high seas convoy,
by our deStToyers and by French war
vessels. TIE contingent proceeded and
Joined the others in French port.
The whole nation Wiu rejoice that
50 great a peri 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 news
that lifts the shadow OF dread from
the heart Of America
Immediately upon RECEIPT OF the
news. Secretary OF War Baker wrote
the following letter TO Secretary Dan
iels:
ConErstuIsted by Baker.
MY dear Mr.. Secretary:
Word has just come to the War
/ Department that the last ships con
veying Gen. Pershing's eNpediuonSry
/ force TO France arrived safe today.
As you know the navy assumed the
; responsibility for the safety OF these
ships on the sea and through the dan
ger zone The ships Themselves and
their conveys were in the hands Of
the navy. and now that they have
arrived and carried, without the loss
Of a man, our soldiers who are the
! first to represent America IN the bat
tie for democracy. beg leave TO ten
der to you. to the admiral, and to the
navy, the hearty thanks OF the War
1 Department and OF the army. This
splendid achievement is an auspicious
| beginning. and IL has been character
lied throughout by the most cordial
and effective cooperation between
the two military services.
Cordially yours,
uS'-ayGl NEWTON ID. BAKER"
The contingent which arrived IN
| France yesterday. completing the
first movement OF American troops
overseas. were the men who took pas
sage in slower boats. II was for
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO.