Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-06
Statement Regarding Mum
Der of Men Soon TO Be
in France Not Definite.
WILL NOT REVEAL
SIZE OF FORCE
Does Not Plan to Depend Upon Ame,
can Shipping to Transport Balance
of 100000 men to Franee-Admits
sendina Of Men Overseas Has Been
Delayed Because Of Call for Special
lied Forces.


Baker came up for cross examination
today. before the senate military COM
mittee on his statement that there
would be 100000 troops in Trance early
this year.
The secretary said he had been un-
fortunate in making his original state
ment to the committee, giving his opin-
ion rather than submitting a state
ment Of experts. He asked that he be
given time to prepare such a state
ment and return later.
The cross examination was begun
by Senator Weeks. Of Massachusetts,
republican.
On Jan. /. Secretary Baker said,
more troops had been transported to
France. including both non-combat-
planned.
Number Not Revealed.
Secretary Baker and Senator Weeks
agreed that it was improper to dis
close the number Of American troops
now in France.
Senator Weeks asked If It were true
that the war department had $4,000
tons Of ships to transport troops on
Feb 4. The secretary did not know
but thought that an underestimate.
In his statement that he thought
the United States could send 1.oo0.-
900 men to France this year the secre-
tary explained he did not depend
wholly on American shipping.
The secretary said on Nov. 1 the
shipping board told him the total ton :
mage was 3.721.o06, including tankers
and former German and Austrian
ships. Secretary Baker said he could
not estimate how many troops that
tonnage could supply.
Secretary Baker said he had not
determined whether troops would be
kept in southern camps next sum-
mer.
Commends Work Of Navy.
American tonnage losses. he said,
had been exceedingly light.
"The service the navy has rendered
In protection of the army" he said,
has been unexampled."
Secretary Baker gave the opinion
that it would be wise to give the pres
!dent power to transfer departments as
conditions arrive.
The purchasing department may be
LARGELY placed in the hands of Survey
General Stettinius, he said.
Mr.. Stettinius Is relied upon to do
this thing" he said.
Troop Transport Delayed.
Transportation OF fighting troops was
n M p hn =.
in discussong the shipping situation,
by the necessity OF sending larger en-
glneering forces. He did not have with
him detailed statistics of available
ships.
'1s there any prospect OF moro ton
mage becoming available at any early
date?" asked Senator Weeks.
"Oh. yes" he replied, II recall now
that 100000 toms have become available
in the last ten days"
Much of the tonnage originally
available for men and supplies had
been diverted to the harbor and arsenal
projects abroad. he said. and the pur-
chase OF artillery abroad had served to
relieve shipping somewhat. altho the
necessity Of transporting raw mate
Enemies in U. s. Ranks.
On Senator Weeks suggestion the
committee dropped the shipping rues-
tlon until the secretary could get the
Information from his department to
properly answer the questions.
Senator Weeks said .ho mad received
letter in which It was charged that
in the army many men and officers
were OF German sympathy.
The writer Of the letter. ne said. cited
the Instance Of an American officer be-
ing sent home from Franco for that
reason.
The senator said he also had heard
of chaplain who had been relieved
for such sympathy.
"T don't know but that something Of
that sort exists said the senator "and
think we ought to make an example
OF some one
Senator Reed said II was unfair 10
question the secretary in a large audi
torium filed with spectators and I'M
pugning that the army was rceking
with treason.
"why should the question be asked
at all?" he demanded.
I'm not responsible for calling tho
secretary into n large auditorium"
Senator Weeks broke In. II think this
examination should have been held as
ali others--in the committees room"
Tit Bstwsen Senators.
Senator Frclinghuysen interrupted
and Senator Reed yielded.
= 3Wv ~,sut "a itaak 4 0uAation which