Evening star., 1918-01-28

problems he said.
Every Soldier Has Rifle.
Every soldier who needs rifle has one
Secretary Baker said. and of better
type than if the British Enfield rifle had
been adopted.
In addition to securing artillerw from
France, Mr. Baker said it also would save
ships
Secretary Baker said all foreign repre-
sentatives and also the war council par
Elephants, headed by Col. House, declare
that securing ordnance from England and
France will not take supplies they need.
but win help them.
Explains Work of q. S.
Declaring the American people are
entitled to know whether the war De-
.partment has fallen down., he laid
before the committee comprehensive
statement OF the molding of the huse
American Army. He laid bare the facts
about the work of the various DEPART
ments of the military establishment
He said he believed it was impoFta1t<t0
correct an impression which has gone
abroad that all was not right with the
DEVELOPMENT of the armies which are to
Night for the nation.
Secretary Baker made his statement
in reply to the charges OF Senator
Chamberlain, chairman, of the military
affairs committee, against the War De-
partment on the floor OF the Senate last
week
Insisting that the success of the mill
tary establishment was not matter
in which the fate of individuals was OF
the greatest concern, but in which the
countrys safety was involved, Secre-
tary Baker said:
.sThe appearance of the name of Gen.
Crozier. of Cen Sharpe, of mysef IN
the casualty list any morning would
make no real difference in this great
issue"
Denies Defending Mistakes
Without prepared manuscript and in
q frank conversational manner. the
Secretary of War told the senators
he came to defend no mistakes or
SHORTCOMINGS. but to insist most en-
phatically that deficiencies where dis
closed had promptly been remedied;
that they were the exception rather
than the rule, and that the very mag
nitude of Americas undertaking made
errors of judgment and mistakes likely
Incidentally. in defending the war
machinery against the charge or IN
pare for war when war was assured,
the Secretary of War disclosed some
facts hitherto held confidential.
Lewis machine guns. although they
for the troops on land because Gen.
Pershing and his staff desire them only
for airplane work. Great Britain and
France, he said, are prepared to furnish
machine guns for the land forces until
the American supply arrives, and. in
fact, wish to do so:
Insisted on Punishment.
Responsibility for calling out a large
number of men before equipment for
them was ready. Secretary Baker as
sumed to himself. but added that the
best military advisers, including Maj.
Gen. Leonard Wood, pressed for it.
Charges of mistreatment of troops in
hospitals, Secretary Baker said, were
acted on vigorously. and he pointed out
that the War Department only last
week refused to permit mere dismissal
Of two Army doctors who mistreated
soldiers. but insisted they should have
prison sentences in addition.
Senator Chamberlain's speech, Mr..
Baker thought, had given the country
the impression that the deficiencies
complained of were characteristic
rather than occasional For that rea-
son lie deplored it's effect. but he en-
phatlca1ly declared he came before the
committee not to defend individuals,
deny delays or false starts.
But" said he. Il think / can say in
confidence that in them we have sought
the remedy"
Change Room Arrangement.
The military committee early today
abandoned its plan to begin the hear
ing in it's own. small committee room,
and arranged to have it in a large SEN
ate office building room, where the
lobby and campaign contribution in
vestigations were held. The commit
tee decided to limit attendance to sena-
tors and representatives until it was
seen how many would attend, and
whether others could be admitted
Five minutes before the hearing was
scheduled to begin the room was filled,
with the exception of q few seats. The
crowd was composed almost entirely of
women, piloted to their places by vari-
Gus senators, members of the commit
tee. Half a dozen men were scattered
here and there. An even larger crowd,
mostly women. packed the entrance,
seeking admission.
When Secretary Baker came in there
~as little or no room for members of
congress except members of the COM
mittee. He greeted Senator Chamber
lain and others and took his seat, with
data from which he spoke in reviewing
war preparations.
MIR. Baker, seated by committee mem
ment ats10:35 o'clock. He asked not to
be interrupted.
Chamberlain Questions Secretary.
Chairman Chamberlain. in opening
the hearing. explained that the COM
mfftee had met here today to comnly