New-York tribune., 1918-08-04
u. S. Casualty List
For Marne Battle
Not Yet Received
General March Denies He
Said Loss Would Be at
Least 1000

WASHINGTON. Aug 8. Widely pub
nshed reports to-day tha, General
March. chief Of stat, had told the S. n
ate Military Committee 'hat General
Pershing estimated the American cas-
uaItles IN the Marne fghting At 1900,
not oniy grossly mIsinformed the eoun-
try, but caused CONSERVATION and re
2ret among War Department. officials
Not only did General March hotiv
deny that he had made any auch state
ment, but the Senator's who con erred
with him also declared he had not done
So Secretary Baker, III d talk to news
paper CORES spondents, and the Commit
tee on Public Information. III a formal
statement denounced the reports
" hen the Senator'S At their weekly con
ference asked the chief Of staF # he
had any estimate Of the American cas-
Ualties IN the Marne lighting General
March replied that he had no,.
Has No Estimate
Later in his semi-weekly conference
with the Washington correspondents
the chief Of staff was asked:
Have YOU any estimates as to the
number OF casualties %
General March's reply was none
wha ever"
General March and the Senators who
conferred with HIM explained that he
had been asked what the total of
casualties already reported was and
that the general had replied between
10000 ard 1900. This number is the
sum total of the War Departments of
fetal daily lists and Is published N
many newspapers throughout ihe coun-
try. II makes 70 account Of the Marne
fighting. General Marchs reply was
distorted into representing HIM ~ say
ing General Pershng estimated the
cost of the Marne battle at that num-
ber
Cannot Compile List
The real situation as to the casual
ties in the big fight is that General
Pershirg has been unable 30 estimate
the number or TO begin sending the
names because the wounded are scat
tered through French and British hos
pitfalls at different points and II has
been impossible to assemble an accu-
rate and complete list. This, however.
IS being done as rapidly as possible,
but Secretary Baker and General
March are determined that the country
shall not be needlessly distressed b.
an inaccurate casUa " list which VIII
need to be corrected later
Official Denial Made
TIE Comm tee on Public In.orrna-
ton issued tnis statement:
The statement is published to-day
that the chief of staff, General March.
informed the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs that rough estimate
Of the casualties as computed By Cen
eral Pershing was about II 900 An
other estimate was 10000
These statements are absolutely
false. General March did rot give any
estimate or intimate any number OF
General March's announcement 70 the
newspaper spondents TO-DAY was
ayailab =, and explained the situation
as regards casualties.
al the request Of the chief Of staff
editors and CORE spondents are hereby
cautioned against publishing these
fa.se statements hat any estimate has
been made regarding the number Of
American casua.tles.'
In statement issued TO ight F. A.
Walker, managing editor Of the Wash
ington Times" SAID the report that
there had been 1900 casualties in the
American forces n the present often
slve was received from the United
Press and was printed on that author
Ity. Mr.. Walkers statement follows:
The statement printed to-day in
The Times" and referred TO by Sec
retary Baker in mis- talk 20 correspond
ents, crediting General Pershing with
an estimate of 1900 casualties in the
American forces in the present drive,
was furnished to "The Times" by The
United Press and printed on that au-
thority