Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-07

conf1dentially with exact figures as to
the number of men shipped and the
proportion of fighting troops.
Senator Weeks asked what tonnage
the war department had available He
said he had heard that it had 791, 900
tons on Feb. l. Mr.. Baker did not
know exactly but thought that was an
underestimate.
Before General Bliss went to Eu-
rope. Mr.. Baker said, an exhaustive
study of the shipping situation was
made. 1t was reviewed before he went
back the second time to attend the ses-
sions of the supreme war council. The
secretary said the war department had
kept in closest touch with the shipping
board and the supreme war, council
had the data on which to rely.
rs there any prospect of more ton
mage becoming available at an early
date?" asked Senator Weeks.
oh. ye4" Mr.. Baker said. It recall
now that 10000 tons additions have
become available during the last ten
days"
The vessels were withdrawn from
various lines where they had been re-
placed by Neutral shipping. Much of
the tonnags originally available for
men. land supplies had been diverted to
the harpor and arsenal projects abroad,
he said. and the purchase of guns
abroad had served to relieve shipping
somewhat, although the necessity of
transporting raw material for the guns
. had figured in the final result.
Exact information Asked
Examination of Secretary Baker vas
interrupted while senators discussed
going into executive session to per-
init the secretary to furnish confiden-
tial information. The discussion was
precipitated by Senator Reed. who
thought the committee was entitled to
exact information of the number of
jects.
| Senator Chamberlain as We'll as Sem
ators Hitchcock and Mcclellan favored
an open session and letting the Sec
rotary indicate what questions he
would rather answer in private.
Il think the committee and the pub
lie are entitleds to know where he pro-
poses to get the tonnage to supply the
men abroad"
| Il think the whole question of ships
ought to be discussed in executive ses-
sion." said Secretary Baker. The mat
ter involved international arrange
ments and he suggested that he be per
United to prepare statement to show
tho present status
Secretary Baker agreed that the
committee to every available fact, in
Guiding confidential information.
| Senator Weeks said he wanted tc
develop just what could be done ir
getting men, munitions and products
abroad but without disclosing conf
| Dental matter.
The Massachusetts senator said
however. he thought there was "a goot
deal of camoufage about keeping IN.
formation from the enemy which I.
published in annual reports and 9th.
erwise."
II want to make a suggestion. II
may" Secretary Bake. interposed
THE misfortune for me, if / may cal
it such, in my first statement to the
committee. lay in the fact that I at.
tempted to give opinions of the broad
general situation as l saw it, when the
information lay in details that ough
to have been gotten from the expert.
! in direct charge, or in statistics Civ.
ing specific facts. 1 was attempting
a general survey. 1t was a misfor
tune for me to do that. I think i
statements and the committee is en-,
titled to that"
Secretary Baker proposed TO hav.
detailed statements of information
prepared at the department and sub
mitted to the committee and then II
the committee desired to cross exam
inc him later regarding the statements,
he would be glad to return.
Senator Hitchcock asked If the Sec
rotary would object to giving the COM
mittee the basis for his opinion that
| he expected q million men would be
| in France before fall.
Not in the least" said Mr.. Baker
Il could have the committee go into
the adjoining room and give it TO you
in three sentences"
! Senator Hitchcock thought the in.
! formation should be given the sam,
Il puDilCity DIS MS ilTSl statement.
! Information Unfortunate
'The secretary conveyed to the coun.
| try" said Senator Hitchcock, "infor.
nation that think was very unfortu.
nate. Did you consider shipping an i'm.
portant factor?"
Very important. controlling" Mr.
Baker replied. Il was not relying who'll
ly on the supply Of American shipping.
| Senator Hitchcock asked how many
| tons OF American shipping could be de
pended upon and Sec. Baker said he
could not give the information. The
| Nebraska senator said he secured from
| the shipping board a statement Of
available American tonnage on Nov
, 80, that there were 1922 ships Of 3. 72l.
| sos deadweight tons. including tankers
and former German and Austrian
| ships all over 1900 tons.
That was the grand total at the dis
| posal of the United States said Sena-
tor Hitchcock, adding that excluding
passenger ships, tankers and other
non-cargo carrying ships. only about
| l, 400. 900 tons were available for supply
and transportation of troops.
| Senator Hitchcock asked Secretary
Baker If that statement conformed tc
his information and the secretary sale
he could not remember.