The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-02-01
100000 MEN
READY TO SAIL
Baker Declares 100000 viii
Be In France Soon.
SECRETARY REPLIEST TO CRITICS

Appears Before Senate Military Com
mlttee and Answers Charges That
the Government Has Broken Down
Preparing For War-lnstsnoes OF
lneffleiency Cited by Chamberlain
Isolated, Not General, He Says.
Washington, Jan. 29.-The United
States will have an army of 100000
men In France early this year, with
100000 more trained and equipped
ready to follow as quickly as ships
can be provided to carry them-and
the outlook for shipe is not unprom-
Using. So declared Secretary OF War
Baker in mis- statement before the
senate military committee.
For hours the secretary addressed
the committee and a crowd, including
many members of both houses OF con-
gress, gathered in big hearing room
of the senate office building. He
spoke extemporaneously, beginning
with details Of the mammoth task OF
building an army Of 100000, answer
ing such complaints of inefficiency as
were cited by Senator Chamberlain
in his recent speech and declaring
that sucn instances were isolated and
not general.
Then, toward the end OF the state.
ment, the secretary delivered a dram.
otto panaraI ctotamanf nf fna Amari-
can war plan, telling OF the coming
Of the allied missions, OF the day and
night conferences with men from the
scene of battle, in which the plans
now being executed were adopted,
and Of success beyond the most san
guine expectations in building the
army, and It's industrial supports at
nome, transporting men across the
ocean, constructing railroads in
France and preparing to strike the
enemy with every resource at the
country's command
When Mr.. Baker closed, it was ap
parent he had created a profound i'm
preston. Chairman Chamberlain said
so before he left the stand. There
was no attempt at cross-examination
the secretary paid high tribute 70
army officers and civilian helpers OF
the war department alike for their
devoted, untiring efforts to rush war
preparations. when we have founi
errors we Immediately have sought
the remedy" he said. He took up
Senator Chamberlain recent speech
in the senate to "show the instances
Of delay and neglect Chamberlain
quoted were but isolated cases in the
midst of tremendous amount OF sue
cessful work"
Mr.. Baker declared that laxity in
the medical service at camps will hot
be tolerated. Three officers have been
dismissed from the army because Of
negligence in attending sick.
Referring to the ordnance depart.
ment the secretary said General Per
shing himself decided against the
Lewis machine gun for land work
He added that a great army was call.
ed out before guns were ready for 1t
upon the earnest recommendation OF
Major General Leonard Wood. Wood
declared that the men should need
other training beside that in the use
of guns, first. Every man in France
has his own gun and was trained to
use it.
Official reports, based on careful
investigation, Mr.. Baker stated, snow
that camp hospitals in many cases
are the equal of civilian hospitals and
all are in spendid shape. Tonnage
is the crux Of the whole situation and
this country is using French artillery
to save ships for other supplies. The
allies urged troops before anything
else, saying France and England
could supply us with artillery.