Show I BA BATTLING WITHSTAND HUN SHOCK TROOPS w Wounded Americans Serve i Guns With Last Ounce I of Strength I IBy I By International News w. w Service W WASHINGTON April 23 The I American soldiers in the battle of Seicheprey covered themselves with glory This is officially announced by I General Pershing in his preliminary re report report report re- re port now at the war department But lint the details of the report still are withheld withheld withheld with with- held by Secretary of War Var Baker HeIs lie He lieis lieis is very much exercised over the fact that various conflicting figures of losses have been published and today ordered an Investigation to determine who was responsible for announcing that General Pershing had made any report to the department The secretary's secretary's secretary's secre secre- tary's position is that details of any I engagement must come direct from General Pershing's headquarters In France as he alone can judge what can and what cannot be published However it is known that in his re report report re- re port General Pershing placed the losses of the Americans engaged at less than while the losses of the German shock troops who attacked were more than How many of ot the American casualties are covered in the missing list is not yet known General Pershing Pershing ing it is understood has promised a amore amore amore more complete report which will cover this point later on REGULARS ENGAGED It is understood here that the units engaged were regulars They were supported by national guard organization organizations organizations tion and the entire outfit engaged is r reported ported to have outfought and to have outlasted the German shock troops picked men selected only after after mon months s of ot special training for raid work worl In his I preliminary report General Pershing is I understood to have emphasized that the German attack was not in the nature of ofa ofa a raid but undertaken to break a sa salient salient Sl- Sl between the American and the French sector and that the supporting columns of the Germans were laden with tools to dig themselves themselves themselves them them- selves In In the Americans were outnumbered outnumbered outnumbered out out- numbered three to one but tuck stuck to their positions until help came th the wounded serving their guns as long as their strength lasted War department officials were hopeful hopeful hopeful hope hope- ful today that General Pershing will allow all details of this enga engagement ement tobe to tobe tobe be forwarded from France It was ex explained explained ex- ex that if this is done it will stimulate stimulate stimulate Interest everywhere in the war The manner in which the Americans acted was in keeping leeping with the best traditions of the service they say and It will be unfortunate If It red tape prevents prevents prevents pre pre- vents the whole story being told to the American people i The complete lack of ot official Information matlon mation regarding the battle it was i pointed out today has had an unwarranted unwarranted unwarranted unwar unwar- I ranted depressing effect on the coun coun- I coun-I tr try Germanys Germany's claims of an overwhelming over over- whelming victory victor and Its boasts of ot over I prisoners taken have not been contradicted contradicted contradicted con con- by officials and has resulted in the renewal of the criticism that the country is being kept in the dark Army officers who know all that happens privately say that when all of the truth is known Americans at home will have additional cause to be proud of the way the army is carrying on Because of this there i Is III renewed agitation today for an American official That one will soon be Issued Is be believed believed believed be- be certain although the entire matter matter matter mat mat- ter remains In the hands of General Per Pershing |