The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-05-17
OVER 100000
NOW IN FRANCE
Secretary Baker Makes First
Official Announcement.
WILL SOON BE OVER MILLION
Secretary Baker Is Elated Over What
Has Been Accomplished - All
Are Fully Equipped For
Service.

Washington.-More than half mil
lion American soldiers have been sent
to France. Secretary Baker author
lied the statement that his forecast
to Congress in January that 100000
troops would be dispatched to France
early in the present year now had
been surpassed.
Mr.. Baker dictated the following
| statement:
"ln January l told the Senate COM
mittee that there was strong likeli-
hood that early in the present year
100000 American troops would be dis
patched to France l cannot either
now or perhaps later discuss the num-
Der of American troops in France;
but l am glad to be able to say that
the forecast l made has been sur
passed"
AS result of personal investi-
cation of machine-gun production
during the past few days the Secre-
| tary announced that there is no pres
ent shortage of light or heavy types
of these weapons either in France or
America, and no shortage is in pros
| pect.
Mr.. Baker said there had been no
question brought up as to the sup
plies of light type Browning guns,
which were coming forward in guam
| titles. He would not say whether
shipment of these guns to France had
! been started AS to the heavy Brown
| ing, he said:
early manufacturers estimates as
to the production of the heavy type
/ perhaps were more optimistic than
was justified. The estimate Of the
Ordnance Department in January has
been met and is being met. Some of
these heavy guns have been produced
and there is every indication of forth.
coming production increasing and in
substantial numbers.
The Secretary chose his words about
the troops in France with utmost care.
He would not amplify the statement
in any way and specifically asked that
the press refrain from speculation as
to what precise figures his guarded
remarks covered or as to what posi-
bilities of early further increase in the
force on the other side there might
be.
There has been repeated official an
nouncements, however, that the gov
eminent is bending every energy to
rushing men across to back up the
Allied lines in France and officers di
rectly in charge of the transportation
have expressed satisfaction with the
progress being made. There is nc
doubt that the present force of Amer
lean troops there represents only a
small part of the total strength that
will be available for employment by
General Foch before the summer fight
ing ends.
There are indications, too, that the
War Department has adhered strictly
to its policy of equipping fully before
his departure every man sent across
That is the first consideration in
checking off supplies of clothing and
arms. Mr.. Bakers recent study OF
the whole ordnance program was
founded on his desire to see just what
the situation was in this slowest eIe
ment of the war preparations.
His conclusions as to machine guns
follow on the heels Of pessimistiC
statements by members of Congress
in this regard. In the discussion Of
the production of Browning machine
guns contracts for other types, both
here and abroad, apparently have
been lost sight of. These contracts
preceded the placing of orders fol
the Brownings and that supply was
designed to meet the emergency unit
the new gun was available in quaint
ties.
The present practice of brigadins
American units with French ant
British divisions, it is pointed out
makes the artillery question less
pressing as an immediate independent
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