Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-11
IBy Associated Press.

WASHINGTON, January l0.-Every
phase Of the War Departments propa-
rations for battle against Germany
was outlined and defended BY Secre-
tary Baker to-day before the Senate
Military Committee. lie answered
those who have criticized the depart
ment during the committees intestiga-
ton with the assertion that no army
such as that now under the American
flag ever had been raised, equipped or
trained SO quickly. and that never be-
fore had such provision been made for
the comfort and health OF an army.
The Secretary read an exhaustive
prepared statement. when he took the
stand and was not interrupted until
IL was concluded. Then questions be-
can to ny from every side OF the COM
mittee table, launching cross-cxam-
nation that was not concluded at add
journmcnt tonight and probably will
continue all day tomorrow.
MISTAKES AND DELAYS
ADMITTED ny BAI<ED
! Cha irlnan Chamberlain and other
committeeman wanted to know par
/ ticuiarly about delays in furnishing
ma chine guns and rifles, and much at
tcntion was devoted TO the army's sup
, ply purchasing system. Mr.. Baker ad
/ mittcd that there had been some mis-
takes and delays, but declared that
/ all lighting men in France were adc-
Z quatc!y equipped and armed. and that
/ all sent over would be. He took full
responsibility for delay in approving a,
machine gun, holding that the value OF
the browning gun now developed was
worth it, He also said tho superior
weapon obtained by having the Brit
iah Eancld rife rcchambered for
American ammunition compensated for
the delay there.
More than 1900, 600 Americans arc
now under arms. Secretary Baker said.
and an army of substantial size already
Is in France ready for active service.
/ Members of the committee were
frank In their d;sapproval of tho
secret purchasing system OF the de-
partmcu;. They did not shake Mr..
Bakers support OF Il. however. He
insisted tina, 1t was essential 20 guard
against publicity concerning plants
engaged on war work.
mas ARMY IN FRANCE
Or SUBSTANTIAL SIZE
/ America now has in France an army
Of "substantiar size ready for active
service. Secretary Baker told the COM
! inittcc.
I Officer. and men. he explained have
I been trained specially for modern war
fare, independent. lines OF communi-
cation and supply are in process OF con-
a,ruct!on, and great programs have
been formulated for the production OF
new instruments OF war.
Arms OF tho most modern and efcc-
I ti.e Kind. the secretary declared have
been provided for every soldier in
France. and arc available for every
! fEhting man who can be sent to France
in 1915
An army OF nearly million and a
/ training al home and abroad. he as
serted. Tho subsistence OF the army,
he continued. has been above criticism,
while its initial clothing supply. tenn
porarily Inadequate. IL now substan
TALLY complete.
Il state the foregoing conditions OF
the War Departments problem. and
some OF the results alta aimed, for two
purposes he said. lin the nrst place
the American people arc entitled TO
/ know OF the splendid effectiveness with
which they have been able to organize
the man power. and the material power
OF the Sation: and second. our army
in France and our allies are entitled
TO have the benefit resulting from the
/ depression Of the morale OF their enc
/ mics which must come when the Ger
mans realize that the American demo-
! cracy has neither blundered nor hest
tated.
NO army OF similar size in the his
tory OF the world has ever been raised,
equipped or trained SO quickly. No
such provision has ever been made for
tho comfort, health and general well
being OF an army"
OUTLINE OF WORK DONE
BY WAR DEPARTMENT
The secretary gave the committee an
outline OF the work of the department,
and its various bureaus
ON the first day OF April, 1917 the
regular army" he said, Comprised 5,7s1
officers, and 12l.797 enlisted men; the
National Guard in Federal service ap-
proximately 1888 officers, and 1918
enlisted men; and the reserve, 1000 en-
listed men. There were also at that
time approximately 2.573 officers in the
reserve. but as these were on inactive
duty, they cannot properly be consid-
cred in estimating the strength Of the
army OF the United States at that time.
On the S1st day of December, 1917, the
regular army consisted OF 10.250 officers
and $4,000 enlisted men: the National
Guard OF 16.03l officers and 100000 en-
listed men; the National Army OF 4SO,-
600 men: and the reserve Of S4,575 Off
GERS and 1880 enlisted men. In other
words, in nine months the increase has
been from 1854 officers to 10o.s56 off,
GERS: from 2o2,510.5l0 to 1,ias.650 men.
During the war with Spain the
army Of the United States at its max
imum strength aggregated $4,000 men
and officers. The army now in the