Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-12-15
In Annual Report Baker Ex-
presses Hope That Contin-
ued Universal Training viii
Not Be Necessary.
DETAILS NOT DISCLOSED
IN OVERSEAS EXPEDITIONS
Purpose of Rainbow Division
Was to Allow Units From
Every State to Share in
Honor of First Actions.

lsr MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wIae1
washington, Dec. 14.-Secretary
>baker's annual report for the war de-
partmens maze public today consti-
tutes only brief historical review of
the year, and so that it may be devoid
oil information for the enemy shows
no recommendations no detailed in
formation of the transportation of the
army TO France or any army plans for
the future.
Secretary Baker does say, however,
that ne does not favor universal mill
tary training as regular national
poncy.
The department has not sought
and does not now seek legislation on
me subject" he wrote. Chiefly for
the reason that the formation of a
permanent military policy will inevi-
tably be affected by the arrangement
consequent upon the termination Of
the present war. Civilized men must
hope that the future has in store re-
lief from the burden of armament and
the destruction and waste Of war.
Disarn9ment Still Sought.
However vain that hope may ap-
pear In the midst of the most devas-
lating and destructive war in the his
tory of the race, it persists-perhaps
because we are encouraged by the
analogous substitution OF courts for
force in the settlement of private con-
troversies; perhaps because all the
perfections of nature teach us that
they are the product of processes
whiSh have eliminated waste and
substituted constructive principles for
destructive principles.
Nv hen a permanent military pol
icy, therefore. comes to be adopted, it
will doubtless be conceived in a spirit
winch VIII be adequate to preserve
against any possible attack those vital
principles OF liberty upon which DEM
ocfatIc institutions are based, and yet
DC so restrained as in no event to
foster the growth of mere militarist
ambitions or to excite the apprehan-
sion of nations with whom 1t is our
first desire TO live III harmonious and
just accord"
"Details Are Withheld.
AS to the expeditionary forces in
France, Secretary Baker says it would
be unwise to disclose details and
therefore contents himself with tell
ing of the sending of General Per-
shing, followed by a full division OF
regular troops and a contingent of
marines as the first units. He de-
scribes also the organization of the
rainbow" national guard division
(the forty-second), adding:
The purpose of this organization
was to distribute the honor of early
participation in the war over a wide
area and thus TO satisfy some part
the eagerness of these state forces to
be permitted to serve in Europe
High tribute is paid to the splendid
cooperation of the navy by means
Of which these eXpeditionary forces
have been safely transported and
have been enabled to traverse with
out loss the so-called danger zone in
tested by the stealthy and destructive
submarine navy of the enemy"
supply Division Burdened.
1t became necessary. Mr.. Baker
says, to build up an elaborate trans
port system for the expeditionary
forces with great terminal facilities
both in this country and in Europe
and in France and to gather a large
surplus of supplies on the other side
as safeguard.
This placed an added burden upon
the supply divisions Of the army" he
said, ''and explains in part some of
the shortages, notably those of cloth
ing which have temporarily embar-
rassed mobilization Of troops at home,
embarrassinents now happily passed"
The arrangements made have re-
suited, Mr.. Baker continues, '.in the
transporting of an army to France
fully equipped, with adequate re-
serves Of equipment and subsistence
and with those large quantities Of
transportation appliances. motor ve-
hicles, railroad construction supplies
and animals. all of which are neces-
sary for the maintenance of effective
operations of the forces"
Mexican Campaigners Praised.
Secretary Baker opens his report
with Il review of the situation in Mex
leo which led up to the withdrawal of
General Pershing's column and pays
high compliment to the self-re-
straint and consideration of the Amer
ican officers and soldiers both on the
border and in. Mexico.
Taking up the war with Germany,
Sccretacv Bnker DESCRIBES fine spirit
of service shown by the American
people without distinction of age,
sex or occupation"
Those who believed" he adds,
''that the obvious and daily exhibi-
ton Of power which takes place in an
autocracy Is necessary for national
strength, discovered that finer and
freer, and greater national strength
subsist in free people and that the
silent processes of democracy with
their normal accent on the freedom of
individuals, nevertheless afford
springs OF collective action and in
spiration for self-sacrifice as wide and
effective as they are spontaneous"
Mr. Raker then turns to the u1ethod