THE WEYERSDALE COMMERCIAL, MEYERSDALE, PA. a a emai rm rem SWIFT HUNT FOR GERMAN SPIES Mtack on Pershing Transports ~ Arouses Washingion BE U-BOAT FLEET AFTER SHIPS Secretary Daniels Makes Known Peril Successfully Passed by Soldiers Bound For France. There is to be an immediate investi- gation of the German spy system in the United States. The narrow escape of the transports bearing the Pershing army to Europe has aroused Washington as no other event since the war was declared. The attack by a fleet of submarines demon- strates the fact that the spy system reaches into the very heart of the navy department. If it did not German submarines would not have been able to know that the American troops were coming and most certainly would not have known the course they were taking on the high seas so as to be able to lie in a blue water ambush for them far outside the boundaries of the ordinary danger zone. ‘ How this information was obtained, by whom, and how it was sent to Ger- many in order that a fleet of subma- rines might be sent out to waylay and slaughter the American troops and cast a chill of terror throughout the American nation—example of German frightfulness—is what ‘the investiga- tion is to determine. How another flotilla of German sub- marines could know the pert for which the American ships were bound, so as to lie in the right spot within the sub- marine zone and attack another con- tingent, is further proof, according to the belief here of a leak of govern- ment secrets which imperils the life of every American sailor and soldier who sails on the high seas. Secretary Daniels’ statement fol- lows: “It is with the joy of a great re- Jief that I announce to the people of the United States the safe arrival in France of every fighting man and every fighting ship. Now that the last vessel has reached port, it is safe to disclose the dangers that were en- countered, and to tell the complete story of peril and courage. “The transports bearing our troops were twice attacked by German sub- marines on the way across. On both occasions the U-boats were beaten off with every appearance of loss. One was certainly sunk, and there is every reason to believe that the accurate fire of our gunners sent others to the bottom. “For purposes of convenience the expedition was divided into contin- gents, each contingent including troop ships and a naval escort designed to keep off such German raiders as might be met. “An ocean rendezvous had also been arranged with the American destroy- ers now operating in European waters jn order that the passage of the danger zone might be attended by every possible protection. “The first attack took place at 10:30 on the night of June 22. What gives it peculiar and disturbing significance js that our ships were set upon at a point well this side of the rendezvous and in that part of the Atlantic pre- sumably free from submarines. “The attack was made in force, al- though the night made impossible any exact count of the U-boats gath- ered for what they deemed a slaughter. “The high seas convoy, circling with their searchlights, answered with peavy gunfire, and its accuracy stands proved by the fact that the torpedo discharge became increasingly scat tered and inaccurate. It is not known how many torpedoes were launched, but five were counted as they sped by. “A second attack was launched a few days later against another con- tingent. The point of assault was be- yond the rendezvous, and our destroy- ers were sailing as a screen between the transports and all harm. The re- sult of the battle was in favor of the American gunnery. “Not alone did the destroyers hold the U-boats at a safe distance, but their speed also resulted in the sink- ing of one submarine at least. Gren- ades were used in firing, a depth- charge explosive timed to go off at a certain distanee under water. In one jnstance oil and wreckage covered the surface of the sea after a shot from a destroyer at a periscope, and the reports make claim of sinking. “Protected by our high seas con- voy, by our destroyers and by French war vessels, the contingent proceeded and joined the others in a French port. «The whole nation will rejoice that so great a peril is passed for the van- guard of the men who will fight our battles in France. No more thrilling Fourth of July celebration could have been arranged than this glad news that lifts the shadow of dread from the heart of America.” Radio Operator Arrested. Professor Jonathan Zemmick, Ger- man radio operator umtil recently sta- tioned in the great German wireless station in Sayville, Long Island, N. Y,, was arrested by federal agents in Boonton, N. J, and removed to Ellis {stand, it was learned. The ar rest was made at the order of the de- partment of justice in Washington. rg + ETE FEIT TR, WILSON ORDERS EXPORT CONTROL Home People fo Be Protected by Embargo HEAVY FINES ARE PROVIDED Importance of Proclamation Empha- sized by Large List of Commodities Named. Government control of American ex- ports, authorized in a provision of the espionage act, was put into operation by President Wilson with the issuance of a proclamation requiring ‘the licensing of shipments to all countries of the most important export com- modities. In a statement accompanying the proclamation the president declared the government's policy will be first to give consideration to American needs; next, to meet as far as pos- sible the requirements of the allies, and lastly to supply the neutral coun- tries wherever practicable. It is made clear that every effort will be made to see that no supplies reach the cen- tral powers. THe proclamation says in part: “Whereas, congress has enacted, and the president has on the fifteenth day of June, 1917, approved a law which contains the following pro- visions: “ “Whenever during the present war the president shall find that the pub- lic safety shall so require, and shall make proclamation thereof, it shall be unlawful to export from or ship from or take out of the United States to any country named in such proclama- tion any article or articles mentioned in such proclamation, except at such time or times, and under such regu- lations and orders, and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the pres- ident shall prescribe, until otherwise ordered by the president or by con- gress.’ Provided, however, that no preference shall be given to the ports of one state over those of another. “