New-York tribune., 1918-03-11
Cabinet Member Will In
spect Conditions at
the Front
Mission Abroad
Is Not Diplomatic
Direct information Is Now
Sought to Aid the
President
by The Associated Press1

By The Associated Prezsl
FRENCH SEAPORT. March TO-
Newton y. Baker. the American Sec
rcta,y oE War, with staff of seven
persons. arrived here to-day on an
American armored cruiser The party
was met ct the dock by French gem
cral. representing the French army.
WASHINGTON, March 10 49, Upon
hearing CT Secretary Bakers safe ar
rival in France through The Associated
Press dispatch from Paris the War De-
partment tonight announced that the
Secretary's visit is purely military. not
diplomatic, and is for the purpose Of
lnrpection and TO hold personal confer
ences with military officials. Mr.. Baker
IS accompanied by Major General WILL
lam NJ Black. chief Of engineers; Lieu
tenant Colonel NJ. l.. Brett and Ralph
Hayes. his private secretary.
No official report on the Secretary's
arrival had been received. The depart
ment issued this statement:
The Associated Press tonight an
nounces the arrival at French port
of the Secretary Of War.
Sailed February -
For some time Secretary Baker
has desired to visit the headquarters
Of the American eNpeditionary forces
about February 81.
Secretary Baker has not deter
mined the length OF time he will re-
main in France, but his stay will bc
long enough TO enable him 20 make
thorough inspection OF the American
forces abroad and to hold important
conferences with American military
officers
"lt is expected that not only will
Secretary Baker visit the American
headquarters, but his inspection
tour Will cover construction projects,
including docks, railroads and ord
nance bases. now under way back of
the American lines.
The Secretary's visit is military
and net diplomatic. 1t is essentially
Tor the purposes of inspection and
personal conference with military of
iicials.
"The Secretary of War is accom-
panied b. Major General w. II.
Black. Lieutenant Colonel NJ. L. Brett
and Ralph Hayes, private secretary
to Mr.. Baker"
Stay in France To Be Short
Secretary Baker plans to inspect in
person the concrete results already
achieved in the efforts of his depart-
ment to place in the field this year an
army that Will be factor in the cam
palgn. On the eve of his departure
Mn. Baker told members of the press
that he did not expect TO be away for
any considerable length OF time.
The Secretary and his party left
Washington without any other attempt
at conceaiment of their movements
than request that The press refrain
from reporting his departure The
newspapers again worked in hearty CO.
operation to make the journey as safe
as possible from German submarines
FOR the party No hint of the trip has
been printed.
For several months the War Secre-
tary has been eager to see for himself
conditions at the front and to talk over
with General Pershing, the man upon
whom the full burden Of responsibility
for the entire American war programme
in France has been placed, the many
problems that have arisen TO impede
the carrying out of the departments
plans.
It was impossible for General Perish
ing to come home for such a conference.
Mr. Baker. therefore. determined. after
many conferences with President Will
son. TO go himself Oh an inspection tour.
which will. he believes. better fit him
ior his great responsibility in meeting
General Pcrshing's requirements in
lighting men and materials and keeping
in operation supply line more than
1000 miles long
TO Explain Aims to Pershing
1t Is regarded as probable. too. that
the Secretary will take the opportunity
to inform the American comm ander IN
the sield very fully as to all the hopes
and AIMS Of the government which are
at stake IN the var.
Mr.. Baker IS the Grst member of
President Wilson's Cabinet to go to
the battle zone. Out Of his confer
enccs. not only with General Pershiny.
but with the leaders OF the French and
DI'llSh governments as "cIi, VIII come
direct information for the President
as TO what is tHnspiring IN the Al
bed countries. to aid him in shaping
his future course.
The War Secretary IS III europe as
the Pres ident's official representative,
and the fact that It is his War Secre-
tary and not diplomatic representa-
tive, Is regarded as @evidence of the
determination Of the President to
press the war aggressively to victory
Taft, When War Secretary,