Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-21
Reviews First American Divi-
sion Overseas, ProcIaims
Them Pioneers in War.
AMERICANS DEMONSTRATE
FITNESS IN SEA OF MUD
Cold Wind and Squalls of Rain Add
to Impressive Scene as Yankees
Swing by U. S. War Head.

FRANCE, March 20.-Secretary of War
Baker today concluded his visit of in
spection to the American military zones
in France with a trip which took him
from the Verdun sector to great head
quarters and included a review of one
brigade of the 1st Division, which he
addressed as representative of the whole
Army.
The Secretary also visited the birth
place of Jeanne of Arc and made an in
cidental inspection of the troops here
and there over the route which he ira
versed. Tonight the Secretary departed
to fulfill other aspects of his visit to
France.
The brigade of the 1st Division was
reviewed from a stage on a high
plateau commanding a wide panorama
of one of the most scenically beautiful
parts of France. 1t is reached by
steep winding road from the valley be-
low. A twenty-hour rain had made
it inaccessible by motor, SO the Secre-
tary and his party made the ascent on
foot, slipping and sliding on the grassy
mud.
Just as they arrived at the stand
Gen. Pershing and his personal stan
came across the field and dismounted.
The entire party then Joined the wait
ing division and brigade generals and
their staffs.
A cold March wind and occasional
squalls of rain made the scene more
f,rl1
marching equipment swept by at COM
pany front, each saluting like clock
work while bands played music which
swelled and seftened in the gusty wind.
Secretary Baker lifted his hat to each
regimental flag as 1t was lowered IN
salute and occasionally spoke to Gen.
Pershing. who stood beside him.
First to Reach France.
This brigade, from the first division
to put foot in France, was composed of
men seasoned in training under sum-
mud and cold under all conditions of
campaigning. They were the first in
the trenches and the first to suffer cas-
ualties. Under the weight of full field
equipment, from trench tool to extra
tools, steel-helmeted, tanned and fit,
the soldiers stepped swingingly through
sticky mud that was almost too much
for the mules which drew the one
Founders and the wheeled kitchens.
1t was the first time an entire brigade
which had been in action had been re-
viewed, and the Secretary compliment
ed the general commanding and the
colonels of the various units. When
the review was concluded the brigade
and commissioned officers assembled in
a semi-circle and were presented in a
body to the War Secretary by Gen.
Pershing in a brief address, in which
he complimented their record of fitness
Secretary Baker, with barred head in
the cold wind, told the officers they
were typical American soldiers, and
said they were "the point of the wedge
of the Army which the whole American
people is driving into the ranks of
their adversary"
Pershing Praises Men.
The officers then formed in line and
each shook hands with the Secretary as
his name was announced. The Secretary
acknowledged each greeting, and when
some acquaintance approached he added
personal word or two
Gen. Pershing showed qualification at
the splendid condition and appearance of
the brigade and remarked:
These men have been there and know
what it is. You can tell that by the way
they throw out their chests as they swing
by"
When the review was over the brigade
disbanded into units and marched back
to the camps. The Secretary, Gen. Persh
ing and his staff and the other generals
trudged down the hill through the mud
to the waiting motor cars.
Secretary Bakers day was a full one as
he covered several hundred kilometers in
his automobile. Early in the morning he
drove to the Verdun region to a spot from
which Fort Douaumont was visible He
saw the activities behind the French lines
and a long artillery wagon train and
marching troops.
Secretary Tastes Soup.
On the way the Secretary STONED
ed, the organizations turning out for
inspection. The soldiers were aues-
toned regarding details of food billets
and equipment, and the Secretary often
went into the billets to get personal
impression. The only complaint reg
istered was about a scant food ration.
which was found to be due to the tenn
porary change in the stations of the
narty met a travelling kitchen. The
Secretary left his automobile and had
taste of the soup and food. His
cGmmGn! pmrinE Tis the dsy secret SECRETARY
visited the French divisional com
mander. who complimented the Ameri-
can troops. saying he had called the
attention OF his men to the expedi-
unloaded and assembled the artillery.
On Tuesday finding himself in the
vicinity of certain unit. the Secretary
sent for a fellow Ohioan. Carlisle Bab
cock of Cleveland. q private in the
Marine Corps and son of a personal
friend. After brief talk the two were
photogra phed together. The visit to
Domremy. the home of Jeanne of Arc,
was the concluding incident of the day.
Secretary Baker and Gen. Pershing
driving to the little village. They in
spected the church where the French
heroine was baptised and the humble
cottage where she was born.
Addresses First Division.
The first division of the American ex-
peditionary force to arrive in France was
addressed by Secretary of War Baker to-
day.
'It would seem more fit" said the Sec
retary. land 1 should much prefer instead
of addressing you, to listen to your ex-
periences. Your division has the distinc-
ion of being the first to arrive in France.
lay every man in your ranks aim to
make the first division the first in accom-
lu4ptinued on Fourteenth Pa-el