The sun., 1918-12-15
BAKER DESCRIBES
BATTLE OF ARGONNE
Secretary's Word Picture Stirs
City's Draft Boards at
Victory Dinner.
EULOGY BY GEN. CROWDER
New York Troops Record in
War ExtOlled as Showing
Invincible Spirit.

A superb word picture OF the battle
Of the Argonne by Secretary Of War
Baker thrilled 1000 diners at the Wal
dorf- Astoria last night. This descrip-
ton of the crowning effort of the
American and allied troops. as the Sec
rotary saw 1t from Gen. Pershing's
headquarters in a railroad car on the
edge OF the Argonne forest followed
a portrayal of the taking Of the st.
Mihlel salient.
Mr. Baker told of waiting with
Pershing in the quiet OF the forest
for the boom of the opening gun, fired
thirty miles away at 1880 Z. M; OF
the steady progression of the allied fire
until the Germans faced a fifty mile
stretch OF belching guns. whose ex-
plosions shook Pershing's car until
it ratified and trembled like a car go
ing sixty miles an hour" and finally,
at 6 A. NJ, of the charge OF the Amer
lean troops over the top to victory.
Mr.. Bakers oratorical effort, the
most ambitious he has ever made in
New sYork. made a big hit with his
audience, which was composed Of tho
boards, assembled to celebrate the VIC
tory Of America and the Allies.
Never to he Forgotten.
Never, as long as l live, shall l
orget the silence of that night while
we were waiting for the battle to be-
gin," said the Secretary. I'VE could
hear each other breathing. And then.
precisely at the appointed minute,
there came the thunder Of the first
gun, fired thirty miles away at the
French end OF the line; and presently
another gun and another, and then
innumerable guns, all exploding to-
gether in a deafening uproar all
through the night.
And when 6 o'clock came the
American soldiers, according to the
schedule. went over the top; went
over with laughter and singing; made
one by the inspiration of their task:
Inspired by the veteran armies at their
side. and moved until they were like
men in trance. Thus they went over
the top, conquering, irresistible. And
later that morning, along the battle
line, saw many of them lying dead
on the battlefield, Americas invest
ment in liberty"
Secretary Baker declared that I'VE
have invested too much in liberty not
to gather the fruits" and asserted that
democracy must mean to the young
manhood of the nation in the future
not only equality of obligation, but
equality of opportunity.
War has taught us many new
things" he said. 1T has given us new
standards Our whole future course
is going to be governed by these new
ideals and judged by these new stand
ards" He declared that America must
be the guardian OF order and progress,
not only in her own interest but in
that OF all the nations OF the world
that have been torn by war.
The speakers included, besides Mr.
Baker, Major-Gen Enoch II. Crowder
Rear Admiral Nathaniel r. Usher,
Senator George E. Chamberlain. chair
man OF the Military Affairs Commit
tee of the Senate; Julius Kahn. mem
Der OF the House Military Commit
tee; George L. Ingraham and Martin
Conboy. George Gordon Battle was
the toastmaster.
Gen. Crowder. acclaimed by Baker
the most devoted public servant he
had ever known. got a great reception.
"Of the entire number of 23,74O0o0
registrants under the selective draft
for the whole nation" said Gen
Crowdcr, New York State stands cred
tied with more than 100000 and New
York city with 100000. Their coll
tributions of selected men to our