The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-10

ralsedt equipped or trained so qulc
made for the comfort, health and G
Answers Questions.
Secretary Baker, after reading his
statement, said he would be very
happy to answer questions.
Chairman Chamberlain took up the
subject Of rifles. Abandonment of
the Springfield rife and adoption Of
the modified Enfield, he said has
been much criticized.
II think the delay was due to the
action Of the ordnance bureau in
changing the type" said Secretary
Baker. Il personally approved that
delay. / think the ordnance bureau
acted right" adding that the delay
operated to furnish a larger supply
later of an approved arm.
ut isn't inefficiency to change your
mind if greater supply of a better
article is secured" said he, adding
that all men sent to Europe had
ample rifles and now all men in
training are well supplied.
Several senators Joined in ques-
tioning to show that rifle production
was permitted to lag when it was
certain that the country was about
to go to war. but Secretary Baker
persisted that the delay in changing
models had in the end produced a
much desired result He pointed out
that eight months after England
went to war British soldiers were
training in top hats and with walk
ing sticks, and insisted that Ameri-
can rife production is now $50 far
ahead" that all men who will be call
ed out will have enough.
Machine Gun Situation.
Turning to criticism Of the machine
gun situation, Senator Chamberlain
said there was delay in ordering
Lewis guns that had been used sue
cessfully by England.
There was no delay after last
April" replied Secretary Baker.
'Yes, there was, Mr.. Secretary" re-
torted the senator. Secretary Baker
continued by reciting the machine
gun controversy that existed when
he became secretary.
Senator McKellar thought the de-
lay was unreasonable.
''Well, it's a matter Of judgment"
said Mr.. Baker.
America now has in France an
army of Substantial" size ready for
active service. Secretary Baker to-
day told the senate war investigating
committee.
Ohicers and men. he explained in
statement of the mobilization ac-
compIishments, have been trained
specially for modern warfare, inde-
pendent lines of communication and
supply are in processHof construction,
and great programs have been foFmu-
lated for the production OF new
instruments Of war.
Arms of the most modern and ef-
fective kind, the secretary declared, |
have been provided for every soldier
in France and are available for every |
fighting man who can be sent to |!
France in 1918.
An army Of nearly million and a |
half men, enlisted and selected with |
out serious dislocation of the nations |
industries, is now in the field or in /
training at home and abroad, he as /
serted. The subsistence of the army |
he continued, has been above crtu- |
eism, while its initial clothing supply 1
temporarily inadequate, is now /
substantially complete.
Reasons For Publicity.
II state the foregoing conditions OF /
the war departments problem, and /
some of the results attained, for two
purposes" he said. "1n the first
place the American people are en-
titled to know of the splendid eff
fectiveness with which they have /
been able to organize the man power
and the material power Of the nation !
in a great cause, and second, our
army in France under General PERISH
ing and our allies are entitled to /
have the benefit resulting from the
OF the morale Of their
enemies which must come when the
Germans realize that the American
d democracy has neither blundered nor
hesitated, but actually brought the
full power of its men and resources
into completely organized strength
against their military machine.
mo army OF similar size in the
history OF the world has ever been
raised. equipped or trained so quick
ly. No such provision has ever been
made for the comfort, health and
general welI-being of an army.
''By the cooperation of all inter-
ests and a1 people in the country
the nation is now organized and set
10 its task with unanimity of spirit
and confidence in its powers. More
has been done than anybody dared
TO believe possible. That there have
been here and there errors or tudg-
ment and delays goes without say
ing; but I should be wanting in
franlEnesa were / to omit my own
estimate of the real unselflshness and
with which my associ-
atas. military and civilian, have ap-
piled themselves to this undertaking
and the results demonstrate the sue
cess OF their efforts"
The secretary gave the committee
an outline Of the work Of the de-
nartment and its various bureaus
Army On April 1, 1917.
"On the first day Of April, 1917
fhA rnea1fap army" he said com