Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-02
sATURAY. FEBRUARY 2, 1918.
Mr.. Baker and the Conduct Of the War.

Mr.. Baker and the Conduct Of the War.
On April . of last year, ten months
ago today, the President OF the United
states, in advising Congress to declare
that state OF war between the United
states and Germany existed by the ag-
sressive conduct Of Germany, closed his
address with these memorable words:
u is a distressing and oppressive duty,
gentlemen of the Congress, which ! have
reformed in thus addressing YOU. There
are. il NAV be, many months of fiery
rial and sacriice ahead of us II is n
fearful thing to lead this great peaceful
people into war-into the most terrible
and disastrous az All wars, civilization
itself seeming to bc in the balance. But
nc right Is more precious than peace,
md We shall fight for the things which
we have always carried nearest our
ncartS--for democracy, for the right of
.hosc who submit 10 authority 10 have
"A voice in their own governments, for
the rights and liberties Of small nations,
inr universal dominion of right by such
"a concert o! free peoples rs shall bring
neaec and safety 10 all nations and make
me NQTi1 USeN At ltSG AItt'-
To such a task we can dedicate our
ives and our fortunes everything that
we are and everything that we have,
with the pride Of those who know that
the dav has come when America is privi-
legged to spend her blood and her might
fr the principles that gave her birth and
happiness, and the peace which she has
treasured.
Cl lol,;-~ bor oho car 1O ~ ~ bo-
We all know how splendidIy the coun-
TN responded 10 this appeal and from
that day to this the manhood and wealth
OF the country have been offered without
stint in support OF the war. millions
Tor defence, but not one cent for tribute
has been our motto The industrial
energies of the country have magnihcentiy
mobihsed themselves IN the service Of
the government and everywhere, in the
press, in the pulpit and IN public speech,
have heartenlng words of encouragement
been spoken
With the wonderful initiative developed
by our free democracy. cooperative
agencies OF all kinds have sprung up
everywhere in aid OF the successful prose
cution of the war, and the men and women
of our land, without distinction OF politics
~ creed, have with unprecedented en-
thusiasrn and patriotic devotion sup
ported them. The Red Gross, the y NJ
G. A and the Knights of Columbus
have contributed their disciplined or
carnations to the care and solace Of our
men, whether IN cantonments or in the
neld.
Everywhere, too. there has been q
~sli-restraint born of a widespread de-
termination that the government should
not be hampered BY act or speech IN
developing or directing our war-hke
strength All criticism has hitherto been
held IN abeyance that there might be no
confusion IN counsel or weakness OF
purpose IN the conduct Of the war.
After ten months, however. OF patient
endeavor to play our part in this great
World crisis naufully and ilsefuly, II
nas felt that duty to the great cause IN
winch We were embarked required in
Fest'gauon, through proper channel, of
the methods by which the great war
making powers Of our government were
functioning. Such Investigations by dulv
appointed committees Of both houses of
Congress have been made and they have
properly reported, without disparaging
the patriotism OF ability OF the officials in
charge, that some ineficiencies in the
conduct of the war had been discovered
and some mistakes, serious in their
character, had been made
These things the people had 9 night
70 know. It was vital TO the interests Of
the country that they should know, and
that such deficiencies and such mistakes
should be discussed without turbulence
and without partlsansbip. This is the
peoples war and the people, at this stage,
nave right 10 know something Of the
conduct Of those whom they have trusted
WITH Its management;
The Secretary OF War has made two
statements before the Military Committee
q the Senate. The first, it may be said
without offence, VAS unsatisfactory. The
second statement was elaborate and in
detail, and has met qualified but gener-
Gus approval on the part Of the public.
The country is better and stronger for
the disclosures that have been made. and
whether there shall BE- change or not in
the organization o. the Military Bureaus
there is reason 70 believe that nsnv
mistakes will be corrected and many
shortconings remedicd
The people Of this country have settled
down = reaolute and determined pur-