Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-19

The demand FOR one M. control Of
the war department or in the pur-
chase of munitions for all the military
branches of the government Is very
strong, and the opposition Of Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Baker to
the creation OF a department Of mu-
nitions will encounter marked resist
ance, even on the part OF democratic
legislators who have stood Loyalty by
the administration in all it's war leg
islation.
1t has been apparent for several days
that Secretary Baker had become alive
to the feeling that the matter Of sup
plying the armed forces OF the United
States, especially in ordinance and
clothing, had been badly mismanaged.
Since Mr.. Bakers appearance as a
witness before the senate committee on
military affairs there has been an out
pouring of criticism over his conduct
Of the war department in connection
with the supply committee OF the
council of national defense and an in
clination TO credit Mr.. Baker with not
having a proper appreciation of the
seriousness OF the war preparation sit
uation.
Mr.. Bakers manner on the witness
stand irritated members OF the COM
mittee. and the remark Is being made
in Washington that he failed 10 make
frank statements or furnish !llum!nat-
ing Information as to the matters into
which the committee is inquiring.
That this state of feeling has not
been lost on those most concerned has
been apparent from the announcements
made within the last few days that
methods or reorganization had been
undertaken. Secretary Baker issued
statement thru the committee on
public Information, explaining that he
had arranged to reorganze the quar-
termasters and ordinance bureaus Of
the war department these being the
branches of the military establishment
| that had come in for the most criti-
cism, and had created bureau Of sup
plies, which Will be a central agency
for the purchase OF all supplies needed
| for the various military departments.
Haig Is Exonerated.
exchequer announced in the house Of
commons that a s a result CT Field Mar
shall Haig's inquiry the general staff,
war cabinet and the government con-
sidered that the British higher army
command had not been surprised by
the German attack in the Cambria re-
gion Nov. 30 an dthat all proper and
adequate dispositions had been made
to meet it.
| Mr.. Bonar Law said Field Marshal
Haig's inquiry was instituted before
| Instructions had been received by him
| from the war office. His report has
been carefully examined by the gen
eral staff and the war cabinet consid-
cred 1t would be highly detrimental tc
the public insterest to have a public
discussion Oil the breakdown which
undoubtedly had occurred. The cabi-
net, added the chancellor. was salts
fed that proper measures had been
ton in the future.
Promise to Fight in Civilized Way.
The state department has concluded
a series Of negotiations with the i'm
perial German government which has
resulted in reaching an agreement fo1
the protection of American ships.home'
ward bound with wounded from th'
various war fronts in Europe. Attic
there is no intimation anywhere II
official circles that the agreement Il
not satisfactory, it Is in fact as worth
less, so far as the safety OF our hos
pitaI ships is concerned. as the scral
Of paper upon which was written Ger
many's treaty with Belgium.