Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-03-21
Receives Helmet Of First Ger
man Prisoner Captured by
Americani Will Send It to
Soldiers Mother,
LISTENING POST VISIT
QUITE INTERESTING
Takes View Of No Mans Land
and Hears That Americans
Are Better Shots Than the
Huns,
10y MORNING IoussAl SPECIAL LEASED wErl


With the American Army in France,
Tuesday, March 10, tBy the Assc-
ciated Press. Secretary Baker had
his baptism of fire this morning
in the front line trenches and while
he was returning a German shell
burst within less than fifty yards of
his motor car. He was not injured.
The secretary went into the trench
es in sector the location of which
muss not he revealed, where Ameri-
can troops face the enemy nearby.
For half an hour he plodded over the
duck boards. The Germans main
tained an active fire with heavy
pieces and machine guns. NevertheI
less Mr.. Baker made his way to an
advanced sap, entered listening post
iand talked for several minutes with
the soldiers on duty there.
Shell rilses Close.
But the narrowest shave was on
his return to headquarters The Ger
man shell, of 1O5 millmetres roared
down and burst cleanly less than fifty
yards from the automobile containing
the secretary of war and the escorting
officers. The shell hit a roadside
dugout, digging a big crater Mr..
Baker wished to stop and ascertain
whether there were men in the dug
out but his chauffeur, realizing the
langer, opened the throttle and made
his best speed until the danger zone
was passed
Bakers Most Exciting Day.
This was the secretarys hardest
and most exciting day in France.
On Monday evening, accompanied
only by general commanding a di-
vision and one other officer. he mo-
tored to a point accessible to the sec
tor selected for his inspection. He
Gined and slept in the chateau of
French friends of the officers. Re-
firing early, the secretary arose at 4
o'clock in the dark of an overcast,
chill March day. Taking breakfast
quickly, he drove through the misty
dawn to his destination.
AS the lines were approached the
steady reverberation of guns signalled
great activity of the artillery. This
was confirmed when, on arrival, it
was found that the road selected for
approach to the trenches was under
brisk shell fire.
Caused Apprehension.
Indeed, the firing was so active
as to cause the general considerab BILE
apprehension for the safety of his
distinguished guest. He endeavored
to dissuade Mr.. Baker from going on
with the expedition, explaining the
danger But the secretary overrode
his protest. Accordingly, another
route was reluctantly selected.
The party re-entered the motor and
was driven to the selected point, as
far forward as motoring was safe.
With the general and the other Off
GERS. Mr.. Baker walked over the
shell-cratered region to a commune
cation trench. He wore civilian
clothes, covered with a trench coat,
Khaki breeches and boots borrowed
from a colonel of about his size. He
also put on a shrapnel helmet.
Put Through Mask Drill.
the secretary was first put through
the regular gas mask drill. He car
RED MS mask along at the prescribed
positlon while he went in. A sentry
haited the party as it was entering
the trench and demanded a pass.
DIVISION commander and secretary
OF war; replied the general.
Didn't you know that | was the
secretary" The sentry was asked as
the party passed by.
81 IL,
confused sentry.
Mr.. Baker displayed the keenest
curiosity in the surroundings. so
strange to him, asking explanations
OF every unfamiliar thing, its purpose
and use, and frequently breaking in
with interrogations as technical mat
ters were being explained. Several
times he asked the calibre of shells
which burst close by.
Machine Gun Blazes.
All! That's a machine gun.'' he
exclaimed when one opened up from
the American trench.
Often the secretary stopped to
speak to the men. asking homely
questions such as:
well, how it is going?" or Where
are you from?'
Fine, sir" or Going very we'll,
sir" was the usual reply Once the
secretary asked private If much was
goins on.
"It's pretty quiet. sir" came the
easy response.
Mr.. Bakers question showed fa-
miliarity with trench construction