The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-01-28
Charges Chamberlain Against War Department An
Great Believed Largely To Be
Result American Peoples Impatience Do This
Thing Quickly"
Washington France 100000 this
veal" Secretary today military committee.

Washington, Jan. 28.-Secretary
Baker, in a long, personal state
mont today before the senate mill
tary committee, replied to Senator
Chan,berlain's charge Of ineffi-
cheney and breakdown in the war
department. Without prepared
manuscript and in . frank con-
versationaI manner, the secretary
Of war told tho senators he oame
to defend no mistakes or short
comings, but to insist most en-
phaticalIy that deficiencies, where
disclosed, had promptly been rem
edied; that they were the excep-
tions rather than the rule, and
that the very magnitude of Amer
iea's undertaking made errors of
Judgment and mistakes likely.
incidentally, in defending the
war ministry against the charge
Of insfficiency- and lack Of initia-
tive to prepare for war Whom war
was assured, the secretary dis
closed some facts hitherto held
confidential.
Franco and Great Britain. he
said, are supplying artillery to the
American forces because they
themselves wish to do so, as they
had an excess on hand and wished
to save ships for more vital ne
sessities.
Thirty-two divisions Of national
Juard troops in camp in the
United States-more than 1,000,-
700 mon in alI--are considered
ready to go overseas for service
whenever it is decided that they
shall move. Every American SOL
dier who uses a rifle, Secretary
Baker told the senators, already
,as been provided with one and
he rate Of manufacture assures a
steady supply as troops become
ready to use them. Lewis machine
guns, he said, although they have
been ordered. are not being used
for the troops on land, because
Gen. Pershing and his staff desire
them only for airpIane work.
Great Britain and France, he said,
are prepared to furnish machine
guns for the land forces until tho
American supply arrives, and, in
fact, wish TO do so.
Responsibility for calling out a
large number Of men before
equipment for them was ready,
Secretary Baker assumed to him
self, but added that the best mill
tary advisers, including Mai. Gen.
Wood, pressed for it. Charges Of
mistreatnfent Of troops in hos
pitfalls, Secretary Baker said, were
acted upon vigorously, and
pointed out that the war depart
mont only last week refused to
permit mere dismissal of two
army doctors who mistreated SOL
diers, but insisted that they
should have prison sentences in
addition.
Senator ChamberIain's speech,
Mr.. Baker thought, had given the
country the impression that the
deficiercies complained of "were
characteristic, rather than oeca-
sional." For that reason he de-
pIored its effect, bpt he emphati-
calIy declared he came before the
committee not to defend individ.
uals, deny delays or false starts.
But" said he, "a think can
say in confidence that in them we
have sought the remedy"
Washington, Jan. 28.-Seeretary Ba-
er today replied to Senator Cham
srIain's charges of ineffieieney in the
ar department at a public hearing
sfore the senate military committee.
he secretary began making verbal
without manuscript.
Mr.. Baker said his statement was
IT exactly supplementary to his re-
mt one to the committee, but a COM
extensive statement on all army ac-
vities In the war, especially replying
the charge that the war department
I'd "faIIen down."
At the outset the secretary said he
ought much criticism came from
,patienee Of the American people "to
} this great thing quickly"
He conceded freely that in so great
/ enterprise it was impossible that
ere should not be delays and short
mings." The confidence of the ,coun-
v. however, he said, was necessary
the tremendous effort.
The mistakes cited in Senator
speech, Secretary Ba-
II declared, gave disproportionate
pect. without intent, he said. the
'ect of the senator's speech was to
We the country the impression that
e defects were characteristic rather
an occasional"
He was not here to defend individ-
Is or to deny delays and false starts.
tut ! can say in confidence that in
EN- we have sought the remedy"
Million Men Under Arms.
That there are more than a million
IN under arms in this country was
ited by Secretary Baker in referring
the cases of alleged neglect of the
ad In camp cited by Senator Cham