Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-17
YANKS HAVE
MADE GOOD
BAKER SAYS
Lays Report Of Trip Be
fore Wilson-Urges
Support Of War.

Washington. April 11.-Sec-
rotary Baker outlined 10 Pres
ideut Wilson and heads OF the
royeruHaertS war making
agencies Today tue war situa-
tiau in Europe. He attended
the regular weekly conference
the department chiefs hold
with the president and gave his
observations gained on MS trip
TO the western front. and the
other European capitals.
Washington. April II Secretary
Bakers observations in Europe
we're laid before President Wilson
early today. The secretary went
70 the White house at 10 o'clock
and remained for a long confer
ence.
Just back from a seven weeks
TIP to the western battle front and
the entente capitals the secretary
reported not only on the military
situation but parliamentary condI-
tons as we'll
The American soldier has made
good n France" Mr.. Baker today
assured neWspapermen, who nCt
hin al the war department. The
French and British authorities are
uniform in their praise of the cour-
age, endurance and soldieTly quail
tiles OF our men"
The big thing for America TO
do IS 10 support the war" the sec
retary said, to support it fnan-
cially and with firm belief. The
right arm OF America is in France.
Il is barred and ready to strike.
The rest Of the body is here IN the
United States and it must support
the arm. This support should in
elude subscriptions to Liberty
loans as well as moral support OF
high confidence"
The condition of the American
troops. the secretary said. is ex-
cellent. They are all well physi-
cally and well in every other way.
Their spirits are high, their be-
hayi0r admirable and their rela-
tons with the French AMI British
cordial and sympathetic, he said.
Sad at Thought OF Leaving.
One rarely meets an American
soldier in France who does not
smile and wave his hat" MI Baker
said. The only sad Americans
there are those who fear they may
have TO come home before the job
is done"
The information I went to get,
! got" Mr.. Baker said. His trip,
ne said, would bring a closer and
better understanding. cooperation
between the war department and
the army. As for the secretary
himself he feels that he is now
equipped with the means of judg-
ing and appreciating the kind of
cooperation needed"
The impression one gets in
France is one Of determination,
confidence and enthusiasm, SAID
ar. Baker.
Everybody Confident
The American, British, French
and Italian armies are flied with
ms tremendous spirit and the civ
lAan populations show the same
leeiing," he said. Every one IS
quite determined TO see the job
through and quite confident Of the
outcome. l would say that the gen
srai sentiment is one Of inspired
determination.
so lar as the work of our own
lofces is concerned, it gives one
ne impression Of magnitude, thor
Oughness and speedy accomplish
nent. No hours Of work are being
observed and there are no limita-
.lons on labor. A glimpse Of the
tremendous extent of the Ameri-
can supply facilities. lines Of com
muhlcatlon, warehouses and nu-
nerous schools for men and Off
gers reminds one Of a gigantic bee
ai'e hlled with energetic men"
Praises L. S. Papers.
Secretary Baker said he had been
interested 70 note the extraordi-
nary extent 10 which American
rre"spapers carry the war news
european papers, he said. were i'm
ineasurably behind those Of this
eountry
NJ Baker declined to discuss the
si4'e on the west front. He said
We situation had been aptly coz
eo py Premier Lloyd George when
s stated that periods Of cheerful
1aA' esA' and anxiety must be endured
" some time 10 come.