The Washington herald., 1918-03-11
Purpose Of Visit.

NAAANs
The purpose OF his visit was ex-
Ltalned IN brief staement issued by
the War Department as follows:
A cable dispatch from Paris to-
night announces the arrival at
French port Of the Secretary OF War
For some time Secretary Baker has
desired TO visit the Headquarters sf
the American Expeditionary forces.
He sailed from an American port
about February q.
Secretary Baker has not deternip-
ed The length OF time he will remain
IN France but his stay will 0e ling
enough TO enable him TO make a thor
ough inspection of the American
forces abroad and 10 hold important
conferences with American military
officers
1t is expected that not only VIII
Secretary Baker visit the American
headquarters but bis inspection tour
will cover construction projects. ire
Guiding docks. railroads, and ordnance
bases. now under way back OF trs
American lines.
The Secretarv's visit is military
and not diplomatic.
1t is essentially for the purposes
OF inspection and personal confer
ence with military officials.
The Secre ~gf War is accom-
panied by Mai. Gen. W. y. Black.
Lieut.. Col. NJ. L. Brett and Ralph
HaHes. private secretary to Nj.
Baker"
Details Of Secretary Bakers voyage
were not given out for obvious mill
tary reason. II was not announced
whether the Secretary and his small
party made the trip by steamer or b.,
a warship, or whether they went on
a single vessel or as part Of a convoy
The Secretary hsde goodbye to hiS
friends in this city about February =
and Immediately disappeared from
the public view.
Movements secret.
His movements Wern kent secret
from the time he left the War De-
partment that afternoon until his Al
rival in France
From the quick joUrncT. made and
the atmosphere around The War Do
partment last night II was assumed
that there had hccu no untowsr,i
events on the VOYAGE. The impression
was given by army officers that the
SecrCtary's journey was made In such
circumstances that. had there been an
attack, 1t most likely would have I~-
suited disastroUsly for the submarine,
or feet of submarines. Ample safe
guards in the matter Of DESTROYER
were thrown about the Secrctasy :
ship.
Presence OF Maj. Gen. Black. chief
of eningeers' and Lieut.. Col. Rreti.
OF the Ordnance Engineers Gorps
gives indication that the main psrt
OF the Secretary's inspection will
be in the construction of the lines
and the equipment OF the men. &c
fore he left this country he said
lie wanted TO learn personally from
the boys in the trenches and behind
the lines how they were bcin-
treated; what they lacked: what
they wanted; in other words TO seo
that the American soldiers were
better equipped. better clothed and
better fed than any soldiers in tn.
war.
May Dispense HonOrs.
Probability is strons that shc Serrc-
tary himself will publicity extend TO
the young soldiers who have acquitted
themselves well on the field OF bat
tie, the honors that were authorized
by Congress. These include elk types
OF medals, badges, Chevrons for dis
tinguished service.
Secretary Baker will also have
conference with General Pershing on
the matter Of the daily issuance Of 4
communiQue. Scores OF requests have
been received at the War Department
and Navy Department for fuller ac-
counts Of the activities Of the AmerI-
can soldiers, and the Secretary him
self has expressed the opinion that u
might be a very good thing unless
General Pershing had some specific
objection.
May Visit Versailles.
Speculation here last night includes
visit OF Secretary Baker at Yer
sailles. where the Supreme Allied War
Council is now in daily conference
Gen. Tasker II. Bliss, is there as the
military representative OF this gov
ernment, and by attendance at the
council and through Gen. Bliss. the
Secretary will obtain a broader gen
eral viewpoint on the conduct Of the
war.
Before returning to the United
St: IS Secretary Baker is -Sp5 80 -
make a brief trip to England TO in
spect army bases there. and 10 ret
better perspective on the shipping Ie-
quiremeuts Of the allies.
With the American Army IN
France, March s.-German shells have
been flying thick and fast over thu
Toul sector last night and today.
A score Of phosgene shells fen %