The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-03-21
BAKER ENDS
HIS TOUR BY
INSPECTING c
U. S. TROOPS
Secretary Salutes Brigade
Which First Set Foot on
France and Suffered First
Losses.
VISITS YERDUN SECTOR

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE. Wednesday. March 20.-(By
Associated Press. .)-Secretary Of War
Baker today concluded his visit Of in
spection to the American military
zones in France with a trip which
took him from the Verdun section 70
Great Headquarters and included a re-
view Of one brigade of the first divis-
ion, which he addressed as representa-
tive Of the whole army.
The secretary also visited the birth
place of Jeanne Of Arc and made an
incidental inspection Of the troops
here and there over the route which
he traversed. Tonight the secretary
departed to fulfil other aspects of his
visit to France.
The brigade of the first division was
reviewed from a stage on high pla-
teau commanding wide panorama Of
one OF the most scenically beautiful
parts OF France. II is reached by a
steep winding road from the valley
below.
A twenty hours rain had made it in
accessible by motor, so the secretary
and his party made the ascent on foot
slipping and sliding on the grassy mud.
Pershlng on Scene.
\ Just as they arrived at the stand,
General Pershing and his personal
staff came across the field and dis
mounted. The entire party then joined
the waiting division and brigade gen.
erals and their staffs.
A cold March wind and occasional
squalls of rain made the scene more
impressive as the brigade. in full
marching equipment. swept by at COM
pany front, each saluting like clock
work while bands played music which
swelled and softened in the gusty
wind.
Secretary Baker lifted his hat to
each regimental flag as It was lowered
in salute and occasionally spoke to
General Pershing, who stood beside
him.
Made Up Of Veterans.
This brigade from the first division
to put foot in France was composed
OF men seasoned in training under
summer and winter skies and enured
to mud and cold under all conditions
of campaigning. They were the first
in the trenches and the first to suffer
casualties.
Under the weight of full field equip
ment. from trench tools to extra tools,
steel helmeted, tanned and fit, these
soldiers stepped singly through the
sticky mud that was almost too much
for the mules, who drew the one
Founders and the wheeled Kitchens.
Compliments General.
II was the first time that an entire
brigade which had been In action, had
hn
plimented the general commanding
and the colonels of the various units.
When the review was concluded,
the brigade and commissioned officers
assembled in a semi-circle and were
presented in a body to the war secre-
tary by General Pershing in a brief
address In which he complimented
their records for fitness and efficiency.
Secretary Baker, with barred head,
in the cold wind, told his officers they
were typical American soldiers and
said they were "the point Of the wedge
Of the army which the American peo-
pie is driving into the ranks of the
adversary"
The officers then formed in line and
each shook hands with the secretary
as his name was announced. The
StCEeldIy LCEHUWlcu5cu CdCu SIceIIUS
and when some acquaintances ap-
preached, he addressed a personal
word or two.
Pershing Is Pleased.
General Pershing showed gratifica- |
tion at the splendid condition and ap-
pearance Of the brigade and remark |
cd:
These men have been there and |
know what 1t is. You can tell that |
by the way they throw out their |
chests as they swing by
When the review was over, the Bri-
gade was disbanded into units and |
back to the camps. The Sec
retary. General Pershing and his staff |
and the other generals trudged down
the hill through the mud to the wait
ing motor cars.
Secretary Bakers day was full one,
as he covered several hundred kilo-
metres In his automobile. Early in
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