Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-03-22
BAKER WITH THE ARMY
Secretary Of War is Seeing Things in
France.

| d
France.
ON Board Secretary Bakers Spcci-
al Train in France, Saturday, March
lS.--(By the Associated Prcss)-Ncw-
of war is making important decisions
i'm France upon such questions rs In
his judgment require immediate ac-
tion. He is gathering knowledge Tor
future use upon many aspects OF the
American army. but problems pressing
for Il settlement he solves on the spot.
Thus today in the headquarters OF
one OF the American aviation ccntrrs.
Secretary Baker inquired If all Of the
host OF aviators sent first from
America were first to complete their
training in France and il all OF them
had been commissioned. The chief
of the aviation told the secretary that
all Of them had not yet, because OF
reasons which he explained had not
had il chance to take their final train
ing.
The secretary went into the sub
jcct. He directed at the conclusion
Of the inquiry, with General Per-
shing's approval. that aviators so de-
layrd should have their commissions.
when they were ready for them, dat
ed "a day ahead Of those issued in
America TO men who had entered the
service later, because these men had
a right to their priority.
When the sccrctary's train cam" in
to the aviation region. the sky WAS
darkly overcast and the clouds were
of Il blue gray color, which the avil-
ton Observers say constitutes the
finest background for seeing air
work. Many monopolanes and bi-
planes awaited the secretary's ar
rival upon the field: then with a rush
one after another took the air until
toward the end of the morning. hum
drcd machines were In flight and
every machine was driven by an
American. individual aviators prac-
ticed maneuvers used in combat, such
as reversing the direction of the flight
by turning edgewise upon ole wing.
or spinning in nose dives. THIN there
were evolations in fotilla shation
OF fives. after that in sdHs'rons OF
| fifteen.
with all these machines in the
air" remarked u French officer I'VE
see no more than a tenth of what
America has in this one school. You
will soon have no more need for
French instruction. We have shown
everything we know and your young
men have taken to the art with
astonishing facility. rs well as au-
dacity, nerve and resource. The
danger and difficulties fascinate and
inspire them. l think 1t must be what
you call the sporting spirit"
YES" said one of Mr.. Bakers
party. 80 many of these men are
direct from our colleges and universi-
ties. They are football and baseball
players"
Secretary Baker discussed with va
! rious of the aviators themselves the
difference between the machines. He
brought to the subject much knowl-
edge of detail and interest. He spent
hours talking with the men and ex-
amining with them the types of ma
chimes. some of which he saw for the
first time. The closing incident Of
the mornings air training was q
combat and the escape of one plane
when attacked. The secretary watch
ed with intense interest. He then
visited the machine shops and set
ting-up shops and the storage build
ings. He had explained to him the
school organizations which include
eight classes each with a separate
camp. Sharp sporting rivalries exist
among them.
The party left with the conviction
that Americas aviation effort Is al
ready q powerful one; that It COM
bines the best to be found in the
French and British service in addition
to developments. and that an organi-
Zation has been created capable OF
schooling finely tempered air bat
talions.
The aviation school in question has
reached 81 per cent of its expected
efficiency. Graduating classes are
turned out with steady regularity be-
cause of the speed with which the
students reach the level of competent
airmen. But this depends. OF course.
upon the amount of flying, which has
been uncommonly abundant this
spring.