Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01
Clearing Away the Fog.

The coolest perusaI of Secretary Bakers state
ment to the Senate Committee on Military Affairs
makes il easy TO see why he produced so profound
an impression on even his severest critics. His
tone from first 10 last that of an earnest can
did, clear-headed executive, knowing WHEREOF
he spoke harboring no resentment against any
man. hospitable to suggestions from every quarter,
Acknowledging mistakes, welcoming constructive
criticism and devoted mind heart and soul, to the
work of winning the war. More than this, the
facts he sets forth, many of them new to the public
if not to his Senatorial audience make up sum
of achievement so vast and splendid completely
to eclipse the and shortcomings.
The Secretary was not speaking for himself or
his department or for the Administration so much
as for the united forces of American strength and
skill that have been poured, and being
poured, into the prosecution of the war. He was
telling the country what itself, through its man
power its industries and material resources its
brains and patriotism, has accomplished in ten
stressful months. Truly would it be "a tragical
thing" as he said IF this tremendous effort, this
wholly unprecedented sacrifice in fact to turn
out to deserve the comment that it had fallen
down." No honest mind can believe, after read
ing and bordering the Secretary's statement, that
it has fallen down On the contrary, even the
most censorious must admit that the country and
the Government have to their credit ten months
record of performance without parallel in Amer
lean annals.
By no means is it a hawfess record; il has its
delays its missteps and INSTALLATIONS. its inefi
ciencies on the part of individuals, with occa-
sonaI instance of downright remissness. But these
are not the characteristic things the things that
will be set down in history be remembered even
a tweIvemonth from now. The characteristic and
truly notable thing is that an American army of
large proportions was in France, three Thousand
miles across the sea- we'll before the close of 1917
that an American army OF five hundred thousand
or more men will be there in the early part OF
1918; and that an American army of one and one
half million are ready to be sent thither
steadily as transportation be furnished. Tk.s
is rather a satisfactory it strikes to the
charge that military efforts of the United States
have fallen down" The fact is. of course
really believed they had fallen down" There
was simply mood of restlessness and depression
impotence. This. supplemented by small politics
and personal animus, responsible for most Of
the anti-administration hue and cry.
The consequent Investigations have been
in vain, however, for besides arousing the public
to a keener interest in the details OF war manage
ment and putting all departments more than ever
on their mettle, they have served establish the
reassuring fact that in spite of some mistakes
America is going vigorously and effectively forward
IN the most tremendous task she ever has under
taken. To the rank and file of the people it is
gratifying indeed to know that the daily service
and sacrifice they are called upon to render their
nation not unavailing, and that the en-
trusted with their highest interests are not I'M
worthy