The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-01-29
We Will Have Full Half Mil
lion in France Early This
Year, Says Baker
WAR SECRETARY
REPLIES TO CRITICS
Says Camp Complaints Have
Been Few-Rif1e and Ma
chine Gun Questions

Washington, Jan. 29.-"We will hav,
in France 100000 men early this year,
Secretary OF War Baker told the Senate
military committee yesterday, lie added
that the United States would have one
and one. half million available for duty
in France in 1918.
Germany had no idea of the number
of men the United States had in France,
Secretary Baker told the committee. He
said there was a plan for the war, but
il was so extraordinary it had to be
studied abroad.
Secretary Baker yesterday replied to
Senator Chamberlain's charges of inetii-
cheney in the war department, at a pub
lie hearing before the Senate military
committee. The secretary began max
ing verbal statement without manu-
script before many members of the SEN
ate and House.
Mr. Baker said that his statement was
not exactly supplementary to his re-
cent one to the committee, but com
prehensive statement OF all army ac-
tivities in the war, especially replying
to the charge that the war department
had "falen down"
At the outset. the secretary said he
thought much criticism came from i'm.
patience of the American people ito do
this great. thing greatly"
He conceded freely that in so great
an enterprise it was impossible that
there should not be delay and short
comings" The confidence of the coun-
. h. 70,
the tremendous effort.
Men of high places in civil life
throughout the country, he said, had
come TO Washington to accept salaries
of Office boys, many at no salary at all,
to place their experience at the disposal
Of the nation.
Gentlemen" said the secretary, speak
ing with great earnestness. sit would be
a tragical thing if this momentous eff
fort were to deserve the comment that
it had fallen down. The country is en-
titled to know il that is a fact. The
is entitled to know what this
war is and what the problems are and
how we are to meet them. Second, |
have deep sense of duty TO the officers
and the civilians that are laboring with
devotion, sacrifice and zeal and are
spending sleepless nights to bring the
army to its greatest efficiency and sue
,ess."
Describing the spirit of army officers,
Secretary Baker said he had seen
strong, grizzled men turn away from
his desk in ears" when they found that |
hey could not 90 to France, where the |
ylory of their profession lay" but must |
emain in Washington to press forward |
var preparation. There was no case,
lie added of any officer who had not |
accepted his duty with a whole heart. |
That there have been a million men |
lnder arms in this country was stated
" Secretary Baker in referring to the
aces of alleged neglect of the dead in
amp cited by Senator Chamberlain.
"The mistakes cited in Senator Cham
,erlain's speech, Secretary Baker de-
Jared, gave a dsproportionate aspect.
Without intent, he said, the effect of
he senator's speech was to give the
ountry the impression that the def
iencies "were characteristic rather than
He said he was not here to defend indi.
iduals or deny delays and false starts
But | think | can say in confidence
hat we have sought the remedy he
dded
Every soldier who needs a rife has
ne, Secretary Baker said. and of a
etter type than if the British Enfield
fife had been adopted
Major General Wood. Mr.. Baker said,
calling out large army.
Though the men could not be pro
ided at once with rifles and clothing.
Defending the lack of Lewis machine
lns, Secretary Baker reiterated that !
eneral Pershing did not want Lew
machine guns, for the ground forces.
ut only for aviation.
Large numbers are now being made :
said.
Ships are the crux of the problem, Mr.. | (
aker said, and cargo space was saved
7 securing artillery from France All
ithorities' statements agree, he went {
!, that securing ordnance from Eng
nd and France will not take from them q
,eded supplies, but viii help them.
Admitting that some things could have i
zen done better, Mr.. Baker said the .