Evening star., 1918-11-27
CASUALTY REPORTS
DELAYED OVERSEAS
Two Possible Explanations
Why News Is Slow Get
ting to the Public.

Further Investigation Of the great
discrepancy between the total casual
ties in the American expedihonary
forces as officially reported by Cen.
Pershfng and the total Of the Lists
given to the press by the War De-
partment to date shows that an unac-
countable delay has occurred in get
ting the necessary Information at
Army headquarters "over there"
The total casualties officially re-
ported are 236,117. while the total
casualties given to the newspapers
to date aggregate about $4,000. Hos
tilities ceased November II. since
which date the number Of deaths has
been reduced to a normal peace rate.
Ordered to Hurry News Of Deaths.
Under instructions Of the War De-
partment all major casualties, such as
ness were supposed to have been
promptly reported by cable. while re-
ports of minor casualties. such as
slight wounds or mild illness were
forwarded by courier. Despite these
instructions reports are still lacking
fore the signing of the armistice.
It is admitted that at the present
rate Of progress the complete list of
casualties of all kinds will not reach
this country for nearly three months,
that is, allowing the report of an
average of about 5000 names day.
800 Clerks Busy Handling News.
At the adjutant generals Office it was
said today that nearly 500 clerks are
actively employed in handling casualties
reported to the department and that the
system has reached a point where the
work is practically up to date. That
means under the existing policy that In
all cases of major casualties the next OF
kin is informed by telegraph within q
few hours after the receipt Of official
information and that the lists are given
to the press for publication within
twelve hours after their receipt.
One official stated that there had
been no delay at the War Department
in the publication of the information
and that all the major cases reported
had been made public within a few
hours after the information reached the
department.
Two Explanations Possible.
In view of that statement it would ap-
pear that the main difficulty has oc-
Cured on the other side in gathering
the necessary information regarding
casualties at remote places. It is real
lied by all that it takes time to collect
such information on distant battlefields
and at hospitals where the means OF
communication are slow and unreliable
in war times. 1t happens frequently
that names and organizations have to
be verified at the expense Of time and
trouble before the reports can be cabled
to Washington.
Another explanation is that Gen.
Pershing sent the total numbers OF
the casualties, deaths, wounds and
illness. etc. only for use in Secretary
Bakers annual report, to be publish
ed next week, and that he has not yet
himself received reports giving names
and other details in more than half
Of the cases. In other words he has
received reports OF the number of
deaths, wounded, missing, etc., but
has not yet received the names and
organization of the soldiers making
up those totals.
Gen. Pershing has assured the War
Department that he is sending all the
casualties as fast as he is able to
collect the material and Adjt. Cen
Harris at the War Department is au-
thority for the statement that they
will be made public as soon as re-
ceived here.