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-
gardless Of Result Of Peace Propos-
ais. Way Paved for Fighting On
Greater Scale

Greater Scale.
Washington, Oct 13-Secretary
Baker returned from the Western
front today With the message that
tEe 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 proud and grateful coun-
try could ask" Mr. Baker said on
reaching Washington tonight, 'and
the time has come for us to 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 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-
sives and machine guns, he would be
eager to subscribe his all to the Lib
erty Loan, the success of which after
Ill is the measure Of our support of
The cause for which these boys are
giving their lives"
AS to the purpose of his six week S
visit to Europe, Mr.. Baker said:
My trip abroad was principally for
the purpose Of arranging further CO.
operation in the matter of shipping
.or 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 hearti-
~ 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
lial and every question is approach
I'd from the point of view Of uniting
our strength in the common cause
md with the understanding which
nave been reached with regard tt
shipping, aircraft, ordnance, and 9TH
er parts of the allied program, the
contribution which the United States
.an make is rendered definite and thf
means of accomplishment are ar
.'anged.
"The American soldier has won hi:
way in Europe and has helped to ce'
ment for all time the good will ane
GOOD feeling which unites our coun
tries. In England, France and ltaE
he knightliness of America and ne
soldiers in this war has won the ad
,,iration of the people and in turn I'M
-alor and sacrifice of the European
lilies and their great armies have
been an inspiration to Americans.
Of the military situation ne salo.
THE battle of ST. Mihiel started
he present triumphant advance O
me allied armies. From a iortlflet
hill overlooking the battle field,
aw General Pershing's army ad
vance into the salient while NOR
than 1000 big guns silenced the Ger
man artillery and pointed the weog
which finally cut off the salient an
rescued from German occupatlo'
french soil which for four years ha
3een in their possession.
..rhe next day I went into st. MI
aiel and saw the people at the en-
Of their captivity singing the nation
Il songs of France and having a tes
tival of thanksgiving for their de
,iyeraccc. The blow was sudden an
the victory complete.
For a few days there was q luz
Then by a concerted movement III
French and Americans opened a he'
attack from the Meuse to the wes'
covering the Argonne forest, ana ID
ter the battle was taken up on III
entire front, stretching to the chan
mel.
81 witnessed the start from one Q
no forts of Verdun and agalh say
divisions of American troops pressln
coward with irresistible das
,bronen defenses which had for thre
,.sars seemed impregnable. Tn
stream of German prisoners and tn
captured war material told OF the SUI
nrise and rout Of the enemy. Tn
cheers of our soldiers as they presse
on into the battle. and the brave nap
! illness of our wounded in the nos
nitals back Of the line. told the sam
story. The American army had snow
= is irresistible and its spirit is ui
conGuerable.'
In summarizing his views OF tn