Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-01-16
SECRETARY BAKER on WAR.
Gives Interesting Information Before
Investigating Committee.

Washington, Jan. 10.4-America
now has in France an armyof Sub
stantial" size ready for active SER
vice, Secretary Baker to-daytold the
Senate war Investigating committee.
Ofncers and men, ne explained,
have been trained for modern war
fare, independent lines Of communi-
cation and supply are In process Of
construction, and great programs
have been formulated forEthe pro-
duction of new Instruments Of war
The Secretary declared shat arms
OF the most modern and effective kind
have been provided for every soldier
In France and are available for every
fighting man who will be sent abroad
in 1918. He said that an army of
nearly 100000 are now in the field
or in training at home and abroad.
The subsistence Of the army, he said,
has been above criticism, and while
the initial clothing supply was tenn
porarily inadequate, it was now sub
stantially complete.
The Secretary compared the pres
ent army with previous armed forces
Of the United Sttaes, showing it
roughly to be six times greater than
the army in the Spanish American
war;
He showed the growth Of different
branches Of the army, and in sum-
ming up, gave as chief accomplish
ments OF the War Department:
The large army in the field and in
training-so large that further in
crements can be equipped and train
ed as rapidly as those in training can
be transported.
An army that has been enlisted
and selected without serious distor-
ton Of the industries of the country.
Training the army is proceeding
rapidly and the spirit is high.
substantial army now in France,
with both men and officers ready for
active service.
Independent lines of communica-
ton.
Supply. vast storage and other fa-
cilities in process Of construction in
France.
Great program for manufacture. of
additional equipment, and the pro-
duction Of new Instruments of war
has been formulated. -g
Significant Figures.
Secretary Baker declared that there
were two exceedingly significant fig
ures in his statement, namely, that
on the first Of April the ordnance de-
partment consisted of 81 officers and
the quartermaster generals depart
ment Of 347 officers, while they now
have respectively 1904 apd e,4a1 Of
ficers.
He outlined the creation of the .war
council, consisting Of Gems. Crozier,
Sharpe, Weaver, Crowder and the
CHIEF OF staff, who will sit with the
Secretary and Assistant Secretary Of
War, and to which appointments
from civil and army life may be
HlduS from Illlo 10 tlme.
Discussing the council Of national
defense, he said that it was an advis-
ory body, without executive power,
and the purpose was the reconcilia-
tion Of conflicts and a survey of ma
tional needs and resources, and this
purpose it has served and is serving.
In conclusion, he said that the ini-
tial rush needs are now substantially
supplied and coordination of all
needs with our own purchases has
been effected
Answers Questions.
Secretary Baker was not interrupt
cd in reading his prepared state
ment and afterward said he would be
very happy to answer questions.
Chairman Chamberlain took up
the change in the type of rifles, and
Mr.. Baker said he approved the ac-
tion OF the ordnance bureau, adding
that the delay operated to furnish
larger supply later Of the Improved
arm.
''It is not inefticiency to change
your mind if a greater supply Of
better article was secured" he said.
Adding that all the men in Europe
and in training were we'll supplied.
Tillmnns Celebrate anniversary.
Washington, Jan. S.--Senator Ben
ianin r. Tillman, of South Carolina,