New-York tribune., 1918-04-17
Baker Returns,
Convinced of Need
For More Speed
Continued from page l

Foch's disposal is known to have met
with Mr.. Bakers hearty approval. The
French general made deep impress
sion upon the Secretary, who is known
to share fully President Wilson'S be-
unified command under such leader.
Under Fire in France
During his trip Mr.. Baker visited
England. France and Italy and saw the
battlefronts all along the line. He has
been in the American front line
trenches under fire. Once a German
she'll exploded close to his automo bile,
and on another occasion he FOOD in
the window of battered building be-
hind the Allied line to watch high
great craters in a field less than 100
yards away.
AS he sailed for home the thunder of
the British and German guns on the Pi-
cardy battlefront was still in Mr..
Bakers ears. While that struggle was
in its opening stages. his party passed
along the whole British line, covering
200 miles in two nights and a. day Of
motoring. During all that time the
British guns were drumming constantly
in their ears steady, terrible roar Of
destruction that was with them. awake
or sleeping. The German bomF/rdmcnt
was drowned by the nearer tumult of
the British reply, although the shell!
bursts Of the enemy joined in the
chorus.
Later Mr.. Baker saw another phase
of war. In Italy he visited Venice. He
| found its streets and canals, hanked
by palaces and art works of priceless
value, were deserted. Only one store
lace sRop-was noted by the party
as being open. To the few persons who
remain in Venice the American Consul
has become guide and helper. The
American Red Cross is caring for them
through him.
Follows Route cover There"
Mr.. Baker sailed for Europe on an
famous liner. formerly German, but
now an American transport The trip
over was rough, but on the way back
calm weather prevailed. and the only
incident was a radio call from burn
ing steamer, which the transport
changed her course to answer Other,
wise the party would have landed
twelve hours sooner.
When he reached France the War
Secretary placed himself in the posi-
tion cf an American soldier just ar
rived at the goal of his ambition "over
there" He wanted to know exactly
,, what preparations had been made for
the care of the men from the time
they arrived. He knew what the gov
crnment was preparing to do on this
side. knew it by personal touch, but
of the great matters across the water
he had only brief official reports or
the inadequate descriptions of return
ing officers.
Doo o+ Jot, VIC vic
Mr.. Baker and his party followed the
life of an American soldier in France
step by step, until they arrived in an
advanced listening post in front Of the
American lines.
Inspects Hospital Plans
Turning back, the party followed the
wounded men through the dressing
stations, over the ambulance paths, and
into the vast network of American
hospitals that have been erected.
There probably 80 per cent Of all
those wounded in action will be re-
stored to such an extent that they will
return to duty. 1t is only the remain
ing 20 per cent who will be sent home
to be cared for and 'reeducated by
the government, not to be returned to
civil life until they are fully able to
support themselves and places have
been found for them.
The whole vast project Of American
operations was mapped out before the
Secretary. 1t represents one of the
greatest undertakings any nation has
ever engaged in, and even to the man
under whose hands have passed all the
plans il was amazing because of it's
bigness and the thorough, workmanlike
way IN which General Pershing and his
officers are doing their great job.
Task an astonishing One
The figures of the task are astound-
ing. Those who went with Mr.. Baker
over the whole complicated system that
is being set up say its size cannot be
srasped except when it is actually seen.
In the single item of warehouses for
American supplies in storage behind
the lines an almost unbelievable project
is being rapidly completed. If ali the
warehouses were strung together thev
would stretch from Washington to New
York as one vast vault of war materials
in reserve.
Hundreds of miles of railway have
been laid, docks and jetties constructed
until to-day transports have made the