The Washington herald., 1918-10-15
BAKER SAYS NO
FLU OVERSEAS
Some Cases On Transports
But None in War
Camps.

hhS duSt.'enldllOn Oh Tue di"y 49,
pT:vidinG it with adequate supplies"
This statement, made this after,
noon by Secretary of war BAKER.
after he, Secretary Lansing. Secre-
tary Daniels and Col. House had been
with the President discussing the
refly to Germsny's last note. was
taken as having a prophetic sisn'h-
canoe.
The whole War Department. in
fact. is In the same belligerent at
tttude toward a continuation OF tho
war until 1t is stopped By some
power higher than the Chief Of Stan
and the Secretary Of War.
On the table. while Secretary
Baker made his significant remarks.
was piece OF one OF the shells
dropped in Paris by the German
seventy-twom gun. 1t WAS en-
closed in handsome case, the
whole being gift to the Secretary
from the French government 1t had
n grim enough look about II. and 1t
could easily be thought that what
the Secretary said was an answer to
any peace terms except "uncond!-
tional surrender"
Secretary Bakers interview yester-
day was the first he has had with
the press in general since his return
from Europe. He made some new
announcements
No Influenza Overseas.
One to the effect that the influenza
mad not attacked the American army
IN France. He said, however. that
there had been some difficulty with
respect to the troops arriving from
the United States. Many OF these had
arrived sick on the transports, out
a way had been found to isolate them
and there was no spread OF the Gis-
| case among the rest OF the cXpedi-
| tiOnary forces.
Mr.. Baker also said that the cen
dltion Of the hospitals IN France and
1 england was excellent and that many
| marvels of surgery had been per-
| formed. There was ample bed space.
| so that the wounded were receiving
| the best attention known to advanced
modern science.
| For the first time Mr. Baker an
nounced that the docking facilities
were up to the mark. There are
| actually now" he said, free berths -
| This was cited to show that the con-
gestiOn that had for some time de-
| layed the dcoarkation of troops had
disappeared.
Americans Always Aggressive.
American troops are fighting in large
| masses with the French and English,
| besides holding a very large sector Of
! their own. all, however, under the
orders of Gen. Foch.
Much stress was laid by Mr.. Baker
| on the fact that the Americans were
everywhere found where there was
any fighting. When was in
France some months ago." he said,
there were scarcely more than three
| or four hundred thousand American
troops there, and they were stationed
| in sectors doing defensive duty. Now
! there are about 100. 900 men there. as
stated by Gen. March. and they are
everywhere on the aggressive
Mr. Baker also emphasized the fact
that there is the utmost harmony
among the allies, and the American
troops and that all are acting with
the one single definite purpose 10 win
the war.
Baker Does Nurse Duty.
Hc would make no comment on the
statements that the Supreme War
Council at Versailles had gwen Gen.
Foch the conditions on which an
armistice would be enforced, these to
include the occupation of Metz and
some of the Rhine fortresses by the
allies. 1t has been suggested. how
ever, before today by high army OFF,
GERS that such terms would be eX-
acted.
Secretary Baker stood the trip
across well. although his friends say
that he had some sleepless nights
I@f 81
way over some OF the crew got sick
and there was a call for volunteers.
Secretary Baker and some of his
immediate party responded to the
call and actually kept watch over the
I,aJients for several nights.
Gen. Gorgns Recalled.
Mr.. Baker stated that Mai. Gen
William G Gorgas. former Surgeon
General OF the army, who retired
early this month, has been recalled
to the active list as a major general
in the Medical Department.
Speaking of the present and future
work of Gen. Gorgas in Europe. Sec
retary Baker said:
He is making a thorough trip of
inspection OF all our medical facili-
ties IN France and England, and upon
competing ms TRIP VIII return mere
to report on the whole situation.
haze heard no talk about his going 20
Siberia. but he may 60 to Italy. What
subsequent things he will do l have
not Yet determined"
Referring especially to the treat
ment of dlsfguring wounds in the
hospitals where the wounded from the
front are sent. Mr.. Baker said:
"WoundS which would have led u
grave Disagreement are nov dealt
with In such a way that much of the
Disagreement and distress is elimi-