AMERICA TROOPS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 11 July 1917, Page 2

AMERICA TROOPS.

FIGHT WITH SUBMARINES. DEFEAT OF GERMAN PLANS. WASHINGTON, July 4. The American troops Lad a rousing, welcome in Paris. The boulevards were bcflagged and the men pelted with bouquets. Mr. Josephus Daniels, Secretary to the Navy, said he announced the arrival of the last of the American contingent with joy and relief. It was now safe to disclose the dangers encountered, and tell the complete story of peril and courage. The expedition was divided into two contingents, each with naval escorts. The submarines attacked in force, although, owing to the darkness, it was impossible to count the U-boats. The convoy swept the seas with their searchlights and answered the U-boats with a heavy fire, disorganising the discharge of torpedoes. It is not known how many torpedoes were launched, but five were, counted as they passed the ships. When the second attack was made destroyers screened the transports. In addition to heavy shells, the American gunners used grenades timed to explode under Avater. Apart from the U-boat known to have been sunk, wreckage and oil were seen after another was shot in the periscope. Officials criticise the publication a week ago of the arrival of the troops, in France, as all the transports had not then arrived. The last vessels were slow craft, carrying horses and supplies. The circumstances and the location of the first dramatic submarine attack on the night of June 22 in the mid-Atlantic is regarded as proof that the Germans knew the secrets of the expedition. It is expected that the troops will be shortly ready for the front.

Marshal Joffre, interviewed by the correspondent of the New York Times in Paris, praised the speed with which troops have been sent. He said it was urgent that others should be sent, not only to fight, but to perform skilled worked behind the lines.

There is very great gratification and enthusiasm in Washington and throughout 'America at the initial success of the expedition. The New York newspapers make a feature of the defeat of the submarines, which they mention as a brilliant American victory. They also comment upon the rapidity and excellence of the transportation. The New /York Times says:-—"On this glorious Fourth of July America has inaugurated the war with Germany by two battles, both of them victories.’ ’ The New York World states that the U-boats had prepared for a great . slaughter. It was the greatest undersea effort, and proved the greatest Üboat defeat.