Arizona republican., 1918-03-21
SECRETARY BAKER TELLS RA|NBOWERS
 CAUSE 0F SECRECY

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE March 2O.-Secretary of War Baker continued his inspection in the zone of advance today in a cold rain, over heavy roads and under generally uncomfortable conditions. The pro- gram included visits to certain divis- ional headquarters that had not pre- viously been inspected, and confer ences with various high officials.
 In an informal address to the Rain bow division, officially known as the forty second division. the secretary took occasion to explain to the army. as well os to the people of America, the reasons for the military secrecy which deprives the soldiers and the popula- ton at home of news of each other Curing the present stage of the prepar- ations.
 While it was in training at home saw a good deal of the Rainbow di- vision said the secretary. Then, one day. it was gone to France, where it disappeared behind that curtain of mill itary secrecy which must be drawn unless we choose to sacrifice the lives of our men for the sake of publicity. The enemy's elaborate intelligence system seeks at any cost to learn the strength, the preparedness and the character of our troops. Our own in tellgence service assures us that the complete knowledge of our army in France which some assume to exist does not exist. At least, we would make hi mwork for his information and spare no pains to keep him as confused as possible.
 Cannot Announce Units
 "lf we were to announce the iden- tity of each unit that comes to France then we would fully inform him of the number and the nature of our forces.
 Published details about any divi- sion are most useful to expert military intelligence officers in determining the state of the divisions training and the probable assignment of the division to any section.
 But now it is safe to mention cer- tain division which were first to ar rlVe in France and have already been in the line. This includes the Rainbow division. famous because it is represen- tative of all parts of the United States wnlch, however, as military unit is to be judged only by it's efficiency against the enemy, regardless of it's origin, Al the same time this division should find in it's character an inspiration to the esprit de corps and general excellence 1t should be conscious of it's mission as symbol of national unity.
 Proud of Ohioans
 The men of Ohio know as Ohioan. and l am proud that they have beer worthy of Ohio. A citizen of another state represented in this division vii himself equally at home in som, othe rgroup of this division and tho gauge of this states pride will be ir the discipline of that group as soldiers its conduct as men, it's courage anc skill in the trenches.
 You may learn more than war 1T france; you may learn lessons iron france, whose unity and courage hay, been a bulwark against that sinister force whose character you are learn. ing in the trenches. The F'renchman is first of all, Frenchman, which stim ulates rather than weakens his prid, In Brittany as Breton, in Lorraine a, Lorrainer, and his loyalty and af fection for his own town or village an, his home. In truth, he fights for hi family and his home when he fight for France and civilization against th principle of the ruthless conquest O people of other races and culture"