The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-02-06

lion men could De transported to France
during 1918.
You said you expected to have one
million men in France in 1918. Now,
how would you supply them Senator
Hitchcock continued.
Mr. Baker read from his original
statement that he had said a million
and a half troops would be available
for shipment in 1918 and that the pros
pect Of forwarding them was not un-
promising"
why do you think it is not unprom-
ising?" insisted Senator Hitchcock.
Secretary Baker replied that esti.
mates made as to available tonnage in
dicated the possibility.
When he made the statement, Secre-
tary Baker added, there was in his
mind the conclusions Of the shipping
board as to what tonnage it could pro
duce in 1918. There We're other factors
as to shipping, he added such as yes
sells in non-essential trades or on do.
nestle routes which might be released
by sailing ships or neutral tonnage.
Hitchcock Persists.
81 am asking you for the basis for
your assurance to the country that the
prospect was not unpromsng that we
would have a million men in France in
1918" persisted Senator Hitchcock.
81 am anxious to tell you what is in
my mind" answered Secretary Baker.
asking again that he be permitted to
explain his statement as far as pos
sible without disclosing military infor.
nation.
Before General Bliss went to Europe,
he said, the subject was discussed with
members Of the shipping board and
others "as to the extent to which the
emergency fleet corporation would sup
plement the existing tonnage and the
extent then available to America
would need to be supplemented by inter
national arrangement i'm order to carry
out the program"
Secretary Baker said he did not per.
sorally determine the question. but that
it was made by General Bliss and
others.
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session.
Examination Continues.
Senator Kirby wanted to adjourn un
! til tomorrow. when an executive session
would be held. but other senators OBJ
iectcd and the examination went on.
Senator Weeks then asked Secretary
Baker if he knew how many pairs Of
shoes were required per man in tn,
French and English armies. Mr. Baker
did not. but said he would obtain tn,
! information. The senator said he want
ed to know in order to determine II
we are buying more shoes than are
necessary"
Senator Weeks said he had received
a letter i'm which was charged thai
many men in the army are of German
| sympathy and that many officers anC
men in conversations expressed pro
! German sentiment.
The writer of the letter, he said
cited an instance Of an American officer
being sent home from France by Gen
eral Pershing for that reason. The sen
ator said he had also heard of a chap
lain who had been dismissed for simiar
reasons.
Secretary Baker said he had receive,
no information of such conditions, bu
would make an inquiry.
81 don't doubt but that something o
that sort exists" said the Massachu
setts senator, and / think we ough
to make an example Of someone"
Reed Objects to Procedure.
Senator Reed said it was unfair I,
question the secretary in large aud
torium filled with spectators and i'm
pugning that the army was "reekini
with treason" "Why should the ques
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