Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-29

~
have an army of half million men in
France early this year with a million
more trained and equipped ready to
follow as quickly as ships can be pro
Niued TO carIN them and the outlook
for ships is not nnpromising.
Secretary Baker gave this informa-
ton to the nation and to the world
today in statement before the Sen
ate military committee. barring much
that until now has been carefully
guarded with the arn,y's military Sc
crcts in answering charges that the
government has broken down prcpar-
inS for war.
From carly morning until late tn:s
II c:Hch III sec' 2tnl@ addressed the
committee and crowd including mary
mCmbers IL both houses q Coner,tc,
gathered in a big hea, in2 loom Of IT,.
Sci!; te Office building. 'le spoke ~.
tempcraEeousiy. beginning with details
Of he task of building an army of a
million and half, answering 81, !
complaints Of inefficicncy as were not
ed by Senator Chamberlain in his re.
cent speech. and declaring that sucl.
Instances were isolated and not gcnel :
al. Some questions were asked and MI.
Baker from time to time had assistants
go 10 the telephone for reports on spe-
citic questions.
Dramatic General Statement
Then, toward the close Of The day
tie secretary delivered II dramatic gcn-
eral statement Of the American wal
plan telling of the coming of the Al
lied Missions, OF the day and night COZ
fcrences with men from the scene q
battle in which the plans now being
executed were adopted and of success
beyond the most sanguire expectations
in building the army and its industri-
al supports at home. transporting mel
across the ocean, constructing raj
roads il France and preparing to strike
the enemy with every resource at the
country's command.
When Mr. Baker closed it was appal'
ent that he haG created a profound I'M
preston. Chairman Chamberlain sac
so before he left the stand.
There was no attempt at cross exam
nation The chairman proposed tina
the secretary be given rest and !
virtually was agreed to recall him 70
further examination later. after the
committee has completed its hearing Q
officers of the medical corps. aviation
section and other branches of the ser
vice.
The committee was frankly amazed
when told that the men OF 81 Natlohi'
Guard and National Army divlsioniI
camps are ready to go today ar neeo
When members wanted to know WI,
such things had not been given pup
licity Mr.. Baker spoke of the reluctanc
Of military men TO reveal their wa
plans and quoted German remark
about Americas advertisement OIL ne
preparations.
Emphs sizing that he was not ther
TO defend himself or anybody else. IN
secretary repeatedly urged the com
mittee to lay bare any shortening .
failure - the department so mat !
might be corrected. Frequently ~
raused to seek stronger language U
describe the devotion Of his associate
in the department. military and CIVIL
ian.
"For one reason or another, ne sad
"the impression has gone out INTO M
country. to some extent at least, tina
the war department has fallen down.
1T would be tragical thing if thi:
tremendous effort, this wholly unprece
dented sacrifice made by man, were II
fact to turn out to deserve the common
,ha, it had fallen down
Never in the history of time. he de
clared. had an army or us size peer
raised. equipped. trained and prepare
for battle as had that of the tnlte'
States.
AIR. Baker took personal responsibility
for getting men under training before
their equipment was ready Ito the las
shoe button" Such officers as Mag. Gen
Leonard Wood had urged this policy Hf
described conferences that evolved tht
ordnance program and its fulhilment
submitting documents to prove tna'
France and Great Britain were supplying
artillery and machine guns for the forces
at their own urgent request in order ina
shins might be used for other purposes.
Persh;na Eyes of Army
In all that was done prior to the de-
parture of the first troops. Gen. Pershini
shared. in the deliberate and approved
the decisions reached Mr.. Baker declar