The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-10-16
WAR NOT ENDED.
BAKER HOME AGAIN SAYS on
WITH DRIVE.
Secretary of War Declares Liberty
Loan Must $50 Over the Top Re-
gardlcss Of Result Of Peace PrOpos-
ais. Way Paved for Fighting On
Greater Scale.

ais. way faFen lOf F1SnlIHS OH
Greater Scale.
Washington, Oct 13-secretary
Baker returned from the Western
front today with the message that
Tie Liberty Loan must go over the
top" whatever the result Of peace
proposals.
This was the only comment the
secretary would make on the peace
overtures. His own explanation OF
his trip shows that it was taken to
pave the way for war on a greater
scale.
The army has done and is doing
all that a proud and grateful coun-
try could ask" Mr.. Baker said on
reaching Washington tonight, 'and
the time has come for US 70 put in ev-
cry ounce Of our strength to assure
its complete victory. The people at
home have a solemn responsibility
fer their share in the final result.
The Liberty Loan must so over
the top. It's success is both our mes
sage Of gratitude to the boys who are
braving wars worst perils in defense
Of our liberties and a message to
Germany that our people at home are
as resolute as our soldiers are brave.
Whatever the result of the peace
proposals, the war department must
proceed at full speed with men and
supplies, and the people must sup
port the army until the boys are
back with the fruits of victory safe
and assured. If every American
could have seen our boys in khaki as
they stormed the German trenches,
assailed with shrapnel, high explo-
5ives and machine guns, he would be
eager to subscribe his all to the Lib
erty Loan, the success of which after
III is the measure of our support Of
The cause for which these boys are
giving their lives"
AS to the purpose of his six weeks
visit to Europe, Mr.. Baker said:
My trip abroad was principally for
the purpose of arranging further CO.
operation in the matter Of shipping
tor troops and supplies. 1t was en-
,irely successful and a complete un-
.ierstanding was reached which as
sures the American army adequate
cargo tonnage for its support. The
matter was taken up with the inter
allied maritime transport council and
the cooperation Of the British, French
md Italian governments was heartl-
iy given.
MANY questions involving cooper
alton on the part of the several gov
ernments were taken up and salts
factorially settled" the secretary con-
tinued. The attitude of both the
governments and peoples of the Eu-
ropean allies toward America is cor
Iial and every question is approach
ed from the point Of view of uniting
our strength in the common cause
md with the understandings which
.lave been reached with regard to
shipping, aircraft, ordnance, and 9TH
er parts of the allied program, the
contribution which the United States
.an make is rendered definite and tbs
means of accomplishment are ar
.anged
"The American soldier has won his
way in Europe and has helped to ce-
ment for all time the good will and
GOOD feeling which unites our coun-
tries. In England, France and Italy
he knightliness of America and hel
soldiers in this war has won the adj
,,iration of the people and in turn the
.alor and sacrifice Of the European
lilies and their great armies nave
oeen an inspiration to Americans.
Of the military situation he SAID:
The battle of st. Mihiel started
he present triumphant advance o.
he allied armies. From a lortlneo
hill overlooking the battle field,
.aw General Pershings army ao'
vance into the salient while more
than 1000 big guns silenced the Ger
man artillery and pointed the Wedge
which finally cut off the salient ane
rescued from German occupatlol
.rench soil which for four years hat
.,een in their possession.
'Fhe next day I went into 81. MI
niel and saw the people at the enc
Of their captivity singing the nation
Il songs of France and having a fes
tival of thanksgiving for their oe
,iverascc. The blow was sudden ah'
the victory complete. 80,
"For a few days there was luz
Then by concerted movement tn'
French and Americans opened a new
attack from the Meuse to the wes'
covering the Argonne forest, ana ~
ter the battle was taken up on 'ii'
entire front, stretching to the chah
mel
81 witnessed the start from one o
me forts of verdun and again Saw
divisions of American troops pressiis
,,rvard with irresistible dasf
through defenses which had for tnre ar,
years seemed impregnable In
stream OF German prisoners ana Tn
captured war material told OF the sur
prise and rout of the enemy. IN
cheers of our soldiers as they presse'
on into the battle. and the brave nap
oiness of our wounded in the nos
,,ito1s back Of the line, told the sam
story The American army had showl
II is irresistible and its spirit is uh
conGuerable. y