Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-31

washington, Jan. 2S-America will have
an army of half million men in France
early this year, with million more
trained and equipped ready to follow
as quickly as ships can be provided to
carry them--and the outlook for ships Is
not unpromising.
Secretary Baker gave this information
to the nation and to the world to-day in
a statement before the Senate military
committee, barring much that until now
has been carefully guarded with the
army's military secrets, in answering
charges that the government had broken
down preparing for war. He spoke ex-
temporaneously, beginning with details
Of the mammoth task of building an army
Of a million and half. answering such
complaints of inefficiency as were cited
by Senator Chamberlain in his recent
speech and declaring that such instances
were isolated and not general. Some
questions were asked, and Mr.. Baker
from time to time had assistants 60 to the
telephone for reports on specific questions.
Then. toward the close Of the day, the
secretary delivered a dramatic general
statement Of the American war plan, tell
ing of the coming of the allied missions,
of the day and night conferences with
men from the scene of battle in which
the plans now being executed were adopt
ed. and Of success beyond the most SAN
guine expectations In building the army,
and its industrial supports at home, trans
porting men across the ocean. construct
Ing railroads in France and preparing
to strike the enemy with every resource
at the country's command.
When Mr.. Baker closed 1t was apparent
he had created profound impression,
Chairman Chamberlain said SO before he
left the stand. There was no attempt at
cross-examination. The chairman pro-
posed that the secretary be given a rest,
and 1t virtually was agreed to recall
him for further examination later after
the committee has completed its hearing
OF officers Of the medical corps. aviation
section and other branches Of the service.
The committee was frankly amazed
when told that the men of thirty-two
National Guard and national army divi-
sional camps are ready to go to-day. When
members wanted to know why such things
had not been given publicity before, Mr..
Baker spoke of the reluctance Of mill
tary men to reveal their war plans and
quoted German remarks about Americas
advertisement Of her preparations.
Emphasizing that he was not there to
defend himself or any body else. the secre-
tary urged the committee again and again
TO lay bare any shortening or failure of
the department that 1t might be corrected,
Frequently he paused to seek stronger
language to describe the devotion Of his
associates In the department. military and
civilian.
For one reason or another" he said,
tho impression has gone out into the
country. to some extent at least. that the
war department has fallen down.
1t would be tragical thing II this
tremendous effort, this wholly unprece-
dented sacrifice made by men were in
TACT to turn out to deserve the COM
ment that 1t had fallen down."
Never IN the history Of time, he de-
ciared' had an army Of its size been
raised, equipped. trained and prepared
Tor battle as had that of the United
States.
Mr.. Baker took personal responsi-
pity for getting men under training
before their equipment was ready "to
the last show button" Such oflcers
as Ma5or-General Leonard Wood he
said. had urged this policy. He de.
scribed conferences that evolved the
ordinance program and its fulfillment.
submitting documents to prove that
France and Great Britain were supply
Ing artillery and machine guns for the
nrst forces at their own urgent feauest
In order that ships might be used for
other purposes.
In all that was done prior to the DEPART
ure OF the first troops Gneeral Pershine
shared In the deliberations and approved
the decisions reached. Mr.. Baker declared.
ana now surrounded with a stan OF train
90 omcers who could Ill be spared from
the great task at home, Pershing is in
France as the "eyes Of the army" Every
step taken since has been founded on his
long daily cabled reports Of what is going
on at the fighting fronts.
Tables were cited to show that, over.
crowding in the camps come mostly in
the camps where medical opinion had
agreed 1t was least to be expected. The
history Of the development and buildins
Of the environments was given in detail t.
show that every precaution possible had
been taken.
Analysing the efforts Of the ordnanc.
bureau. the secretary said that Genera
Crosier had urged for years a greater ar
tillery preparation; that he at least hat
realized the time gun making required
But even France herself with the enem,
1T her throat" he added. had not beer
able to see what vast gun programs thu
war would lead into.
SECRETARY BAKERS STATEMENT.
During his general statement of tho wa
| plan and how 1t was developed Mr.. Bake
was rarely interrupted He said
"Now. gentlemen. about the plan of tn,
war. It will be remembered that this wa
broke out in August. 1914. We went int,
| It In April. 1917. so that for two and ono
half years. or more than two and ons-hal
years the war had been going on. 1t wa
not as though war had broken out be
. tween the United States and some coun
. try. each Of them prior to that time havinl
boon a. peace with one another and will
everybody else; 30 that an immediate plai