Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
UNIVERSAL TRA|NING
NOT WANTED BY BAKER
secretary Says In Annual Report
Department VIII Not Seek Leg
islation for 1t.
NO DETAILS OF WAR pRoGREss
On"ise TO Toll AL, lie Says-Mcrcly
states That Division OF Troops
ana Some Marines Have Been
Sent TO France.
fBy Associated Press]

fBy Associated Pressl
WASHINGTON. December 16.-Scc-
rotary Bakers annual report for tho
war Department constitutes only Il
hrict historical review OF the year, and
80 that 1t may be devoid of lnforna-
tion' for tho enemy shows no recon-
mcndationS. no detailed information
c. the transportation OF tho army to
france or any army plans for the
future.
Secretary Baker does say, however,
mat he does not favor universal mill
policy.
The department has not sought
ana does not now seek legislation on
the subject" he says. chiefly for the
reason that the formation OF a perma-
nent military policy will inevitably be
affected by the arrangement consequent
upon the termination or the present
war. Civilized men must hope that the
tuturo has In store Il relief from the
burden OF armament and the destruc-
ton and waste of war.
However vain that hope may appear
in the midst of the most devastating
and destructive war in the history of
tho race. 1t perssts-pcrhaps. because
We are encouraged by the analogous
substitution OF courts for forco in the
settlement OF private controversies;
perhaps because all the projections OF
nature teach US that they arc the pro-
duct of processes which have elimi-
mated waste and substituted construc-
tive for destructive principles.
when q permanent military policy.
therefore, comes to be adopted. it will
doubtless be conceived in "A spirit which
viii DO adequate to preserve against
any possible attack those vital princi-
pies OF liberty upon which democratic
institutions arc based, and yet be so
restrained as in no event TO foster the
growth OF mere militariSt ambit ions or
to excite the apprehension OF nations
with whom IL Is our first desire to live
in harmonious and just accord"
CNWISE TO DISCLOSE DETAILS
OF EXCEPTIONALLY FORCE;
As TO the probationary force in
France. Secretary Baker says it would
be unwisc TO disclose details, and.
therefore. contents himself with telling
81 the sending Of General Pcrshing, fol-
lowed by full division OF regular
troops and contingent Of marines as
the first units. He describes also the
organization VI the Rainbow Nationa!
Guard Division tthc Forty secondD,
adding:
THE purpose Of this organization
was TO distribute the honor OF early
participation in the war over a wide
the caGerncas 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 thesc cXpcditionary forces have
been safely transported and have been
enabled TO traverse without loss the
sc-callcd danger zone infested by tn.
sicaiihy and dcstructivl submarine
navy OF the enemy"
Mr Ra l.n
TO build UP an elaborate transport sys-
torn for the cXpcditionary force with
great terminal facilities. both in this
country and in Franco. and TO gather
large surplus OF supplies on the other
side as safeguard.
This placed an added burden upon
tho supply divisions OF tho department."
he says, and explains in part some of
the shortages, notably those OF cloth
ing, which have temporarily embar-
raised mobilization OF troops at home
en,barra ssmcnta now happily passed"
Tho arrangements made have re-
suited. Mr.. Baker continued. "n the
transporting OF an army to France
fully equipped. with adequate reserves
OF equipment and subsistence. and
with these large quantities OF trans
portation appliances. motor vehicles,
railroad construction supplies and ami
mails, all OF which are necessary for the
the force"
COMPLIMENTS ACTION
OF FORCE IN MEXICO
Secretary Baker opens his report
with review of the situation in Mex
leo. which led UP TO The Withdrawal OF
General PcrshinG's column and pays
high compliment to the sclf-rcStraint
and consideration OF the American Of
ncers and soldiers. both on the border
and in Mexico.
Taking up the war with Germany,
Sccrtary Baker describes a fine spirit Of
service shown by the American people
without distinction of age, sex or oc-
cupation."
Those who believed" he adds. that
tho obvious and daily exhibition OF
power which takes place in an autoc-
racy is necessary for national strength,
discovered that IA finer and frcer and
greater national strength subsists in a
free people. and that the silent pro-
ccsses OF democracy. with their normal
accent. on tho f,;;edom OF individuals,
nevertheless. aftS..d springs of colIec-
tive action aud inspiration for self-sac-
ifice as wide and effective as they are
spontaneous
Mr.. Baker then turns to the method
by which the army was placed on a
war footing. lie shows that under it's
full authorized strength the regular
army includes lS.0UU officers and 49,
900 men, and that the war strength
contemplated by tho national defense
art for tho National Guard was 10000
officers and $4,000 men. With the
million additional troops OF the select
cd army added. the figures furnish the
army OF 100000 men upon which all
original war estimates were based
The secretary describes the drafting
OF the National Guard. which, he SAYS.
responded with zeal and enthusiasm"
TO the cell. lie describes also the cx-
pansion Of the regular army and re-
views the reasons which prompted the
government to go to sclective conscrip-
lion for the remainder OF it's forces
The report then touches briefly upon