Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-23
PENR0SE TO PUSH
CENSORSHIP PROBE
Not to Drop Resolution Fol-
lowing Secretary Daniels Ex-
PLANTATION of U-Boat Account.
WANTS ADDITIONAL FACTS

Notwithstanding the explanation of
the Fourth of July account Of the land
ing of the American expeditionary
forces in France, and its encounter with
submarines, made public by Secretary
Daniels last night, Senator Penrose of
Pennsylvania today planned to urge the
adoption of his resolution calling for in
formation regarding the account and
also for information in regard to the
bureau Of information, of which George
Creel is the head. It is likely that the
Penrose resolution will come up for
consideration tomorrow.
1t was pointed out today that the
resolution seeks much information in
regard to the information bureau which
is not contained in the letter sent by
Secretary Daniels to Senator Tillman.
Safe Arrival Statement Defended.
Secretary Daniels has sent to Sena-
tor Ttllman. chairman of the naval
affairs committee, a letter defending
the statement Of the safe arrival of
troops IN FRANCE. given out July
through the information bureau. which
has been severely criticised as an ex-
aggeraticn OF the real story. He also
takes upon himself full responsibility
for the statement.
Late in the afternoon of July g."
wrote the Secretary, the welcome
news came that the last ship Of the
conveys and transports carrying the
first American soldiers and marines to
fight in France had reached its desti
injury to men or ships. The Navy De-
partment had known for Ave days
prior to their arrival that two attacks
by submarines had been made. and you
can well understand the painful anxiety
lest torpedoes should have caused the
were carrying out their hazardous en-
terprise. You may imagine, therefore.
the unspeakable relief to me which
the news announcing the arrival Of the
course. shared by all others in the
department who had been apprehen-
sive every minute since June 20. when
Admiral Gleaves. in a brief cable. had
reported that submarines had made
attacks upon two divisions Of the
transports.
"As soon as the news was communi-
Gated by an officer Of the department I
fastened to the War Department to az
prise the Secretary OF War of the fact,
for knew he had felt the deepest SO.
licitude. as he too. was Informed OF
the attacks. 1t was in no formal man
ner, I ASSURE you. that the good news
was given to Secretary Baker. and we
shook hands In exultation over the
safety Of our sailors and soldiers and
the accomplishment Of the first stage
Of giving present military aid to the
allies.
Statement Given to Public.
Eat once a statement was prepared
and given out that evening. which
leans. The message OF Rear Admiral
Gleaves announcing the attacks, of
course. had not been given to the pub
lie and consequently 1t had been spared
to the public conveyed the feeling Of
all who had been waiting and hoping
for the reassuring kilograms. The facts
were stated not in the very words Of
tho Gleaves cablegram, for 1t Is the
immemorial policy Of the department
guage of a message coming in code.
Otherwise It would be easy for the
enemy to learn the cipher. Moreover,
the message of the rear admiral con-
tanned the names Of the ships, which
for military reasons are never given
out during a war.
The important part OF the state
ment given to the public was that all
our soldiers and marines and ships had
been conveyed to France In safety.
Two OF the groups arrived without
being attacked and two were unsuc-
cessfully attacked. If the terms bat
tie and attacked in force are open
to criticism, the fact still remains
that the rejoicing was warranted. If
the torpedoes. in either of the attacks.
had sunk American ships the criticism
made would not have concerned itself
with the difference between what
might have been called a battle or
an encounter or a brush
The cablegrams from the rear ad-
miral, which have not been given to
the public for reasons stated above.
are, OF course, subject to the inspec-
ton Of the naval affairs committee"