New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-09
5 Rifles In France
For Every Soldier
OF u. S., Says Baker
Asserts American Forces
Will Be as Well Armed
as Any

HARRISBURG, Penn, Oct. a.-Seere.
tsry Baker, addressing the annual meet
ing Of the Harrisburg Chamber Of
Commerce tonight, declared that N.
manner in which the business men o.
the country had gathered TO the sup.
port Of the government in is supreme
emergency Of war was making "a
stronger nation, greater democrscy
and a greater hope for mankind
The Secretary said he wanted nc
business men to know that he vss
proud to pay the tribute, and that a. q
result the nation would become a won
derful world factor for peace after ia,
war.
T believe that under the e1ampl. o
America we will be able TO make sucl
arrangements that war will give plse,
to the virtues of peace for many yesrs
to come" said the Secretary. n,
praised Congress for creating ID,
Council of National Defence, which, b
said, had prepared the country re-.
sources. He added that when the Fat,
full hour struck the business men, vol.
unfairly and in mass, assembled 20 Civ.
their best. This, he declared, hH
cleared away overnight existing dis.
trust between business and govern.
ment.
Force Soon To Be 100000
The National Guards and the nil.
tary resources Of the states had formtd
with the regular army and West Point
a nucleus OF q fighting force that viii
before long number over 1900 ,oes
men: Reviewing the organization q
the National Army, Mr.. Baker said ths,
IL had been by nation totally unN.
customed 20 war but which had not
only subjected itself TO a selectiw
draft but had diverted is industries
into many unsccustomed lines Of pro-
ductlon. Even Germany was neyt,
able to do this he declared.
Let me say TO you that when our
army trkes its place abroad il will B.
armed as well as any and better ths,
most" asserted Mr.. Baker. lie az.
nounced that for every soldier sbro.c
now there were five rifles in France
and every regular and National Gusrt..
man at home has rife, while u,
stream Of rifles, now 100000 a month
will soon be 100000.
The young men in the army, sac
Mr.. Baker, will be surrounded b. safer
conditions than ever were known BE-.
fore. This had been done By sdoptIAf
the wholesale spirit Of the youth u
America" remarked the Secretary. WI.
added that the curative policies o. Il,
colleges had been put into force. ",
are making a wonderful army We are
making it by American processes. We
are going 70 have a very, very low sit,
rate" said he.
No Magic in United States Feats
The Secretary explained there hsS
been no Aladdin's lamp or fairy wand
about the building up of the equipment
and ordnance supplies and The lsanes.
ing of great shipbuilding programs,
or the start on the immense sirplsu
construction. What has been done hp
been accomplished through hard wen
and the mobilization of American 10.
ventive and business genius. Ta
speaker declared that there was
doubt that America was next on h,
German programme, and said: ~,
must win this war or admit democrt7
a failure"
In making a plea for coordination u
financial resources such as there hr
been of business, Mr.. Baker said h,
country must buy OF Liberty Bond
until il hurts"