The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-14
Baker, Back from War,
Unchecked by Huns
Talk of Peace.
NEW PLANS LAID
Cooperation Of All AL
lied Nations Is Now
Arranged.

Washington, Oct. l3.-"What-
ever the result of the peace pro-
posals, the war department must
proceed ut full speed with men
and supplies This was the COM
ment on the German peace talk
tonight from Secretary of War
Baker. on his return from IA visit
of more than month to the
western front.
Exuberant with confidence OF
great victory and praise of the
bravery OF the Americans, Secrc-
tary Baker arrived early this
morning ut an Atlantic port
aboard the Northern Pacific. call
ed by the Germans the Ghost
Ship"
The ghost ship escaped the
U-boat that sank the Hirano Maru
a few days ago only through the ex-
treme precautions taken 10 protect
the secretary of war AMI his party,
which included John ID. Ryan, sec
ond assistant secretary of war; Brig
adier-General Frank l., Hines, chief
OF the embarkation service: Walter
Clifford, director Of the council of ma
,sienAl defeneers Ham ReseRwald, OF
the council. Captain r. e. Christie.
of Cleveland. former law partner of
Secretary Baker, and Charles Day. of
the United States shipping board.
The presence of submarine Turk
ing in the course in which the Hirano
was sunk was spotted and the
Northern Pacific WAS diverted. The
seeretaFy~haa the protection OF ma
val convoy. however, only for two
days out OF Brest. which was cleared
October s, at daylight The rest OF
the way she came alone. making the
speed that earned her the German
ghost ship" sohriquet.
Sees ST. Mihiel Battles.
Secretary Baker saw both battles
of St Mihiel. AID described the TAX
ing of the town and wiping out OF
the salient by the Americans as the
greatest concentration of artillery and
aircraft ever seen in this ear. He
entered the town the morning after
il was evacuated.
Discussing the purposes of his trip
TO the front and his experiences there,
Secretary Baker said. in part.
My trip abroad was principally for
the purpose of arranging further CO.
operation in the matter OF shipping for
troops and suppliesa 1t was entirely
successful, and complete understand
ing mas been reached Wntcn assures
the American army adequate cargo
tonnage for it's support The matter
Was taken up with the nter-allied
maritime transport council. and the CO.
operation of the British. French and
Italian governments was heartily given
Many questions involving co-opera-
ton on the part of the several govern
ments were taken up and satisfactorily
settled.
with regard to shipping aircraft
ordnance and other parts OF the allied
program, the contribution which the
United States can make is render ed
definite and tine means of accomplish
ment are arranged"
when asked about the liberty loan
Secretary Baker said:
The allied armies are now in the
fun tide OF victorious advance. Ameri.
can divisions are fighting with the
British, with the French. and in their
own sectors. and everywhere the enemy
is in retreat and disorder,
Loan Must Succeed.
THE army has done and lis dong al
that a proud and grateful country
could ask. and the time has come for
us to put in every ounce OF our strength
to assure its complete victory.
The people at home have a solemn
responsibility for their share in the
final results
The liberty loan must go over the
top. Its success Is our message Of
to Germany that our people at home