THE AMERICANS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 25 August 1917, Page 2

THE AMERICANS.

AS AMERICANS CROSS THJE ATLANTIC Not a man was lost during tLe transfer of fee American forces to France, and there was not even a case of serious illness, said MajorGeneral Pershing, the American commander on his return to headquarters at Paris after a trip to the port of debarkation. "The landing of the first American troops has been a complete success" he said. "In this remarakble transfer of a large force across the ocean, one of the largets operations we have ever undertaken, not a man or an animal was lost or injured, and feere was not a case of serious sickness, nothing but a few unimportant oases of mumps. The men landed in splendid morale, with keen, confident and eager spirits.

The physical appearance of our men is truly inspiring. They are all fine, husky young fellows, with the glow of'health and physical vigour, which will make them a credit alongside any troops. They are exceptionally well camped and cared for, with substantial wooden barracks, good beds, good food, and the best sanitary arrangements. They are on high ground. For all of this we are deeply indebted to French co-operation with member s of my staff." A despatch dated "A Port in France, Tuesday, June 26," says: The first contingent of American tr.oops, landing to-day, were greeted joyfully by the population of the whole district The transports, whose expected arrival had not been previously announced publicly, came steaming into the harbour in a long line at an early hour. The news that the Americans were arriving spread with amazing rapidity, and by the time the troopships drew alongside the quays where the men were to disembark, thousands of person were on hand, to greet them.

A wild welcome was shrieked by whistle s of crafts in the harbour and cries of "Vivi la France" and "Viva les Etats Unis" seemed to come from every throat in the crowd, which was thickly dotted with the vari-colored uniforms of French soldiers and sailors. Meanwhile the bands on the warships were playing the "StarSpangled Banner" and the "Marseillaise" as the American colours were hoisted to their staffs. The town took on a holiday appearance, and before the day was over scores of American flags were flying along with the tricolour of France, over public buildings and private Somes. -Delegations of American army officers from Paris and American naval men from elsewhere were present with French military men of high rank and a similar representation from the French navy to receive the new fighting forces of the Allies.

Land was first sighted from the transports on Monday night after an exciting trip through the submarine zone. Frequent warnings of submarines operating in the expedition's course were received during the last few days of *the voyage and the passage through the war zone was made at high speed. The men were pre- | pared for any emergncy duirng this period. Boats and life rafts were placed so as to be quickly available, and the watches at all-lookout stations were heavily reinforced. "Weather conditions during the entire voyage were ideal, and the men arrived in good health. The days were warm and the nights cool and comfortable, while the sea was unusually smooth. Very few cases of seasickness or other illness were reported. The voyage was made on schdeuled time without any serious mishaps to men or machinery. The port of arrival was known by less than a score of officers until the ships were almost in sight of land. All unnecessary communication among the ships was dispensed with, the wireless being only used in unusually urgent cases. The sighting of porpoises and other objects in the water resulted in frequent alarms. The departure of the vessels from an American port was made quietly in the early morning. There were no farewells of any kind.