The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-02-06

Statement that 100000
Troops Would Be in France
Early in Year Was His Cen
eral Opinion.
NOT BASED ON FACTS

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-When Sec
retary Baker came up for cross exam
ination today before the senate mill
tary committee, on his statement that
there would be 100000 American
troops in france early this year, and
q million more before winter, hitch
developed as to whether it would be
proper to have the secretary answer
such questions in public.
While the senators were discussing
whether to continue in public session
or go into private meeting, Secretary
Baker exclaimed that perhaps he had
been unfortunate in making his orig
inal statement to the committee by
giving his general opinion rather
than the exact facts and details, pre-
pared by experts having the subject
in charge. He proposed that he be
permitted to prepare such statements.
present them to the committee and
return for cross examination later.
Upon Senator Weeks suggestion
the committee dropped shipping ques-
tions until the secretary could get in
formation from his department to
properly answer the questions. This
will be furnished to the committee in
executive session.
Examination Proceeds
Senator Kirby wanted to adjourn
until tomorrow when an executive ses-
sion would be held, but other senators
objected and the examination went on.
Senator Weeks then asked Secretary
Baker If he knew how many pairs OF
shoes were required per man in the
French and English armies. Mr.. Bak-
er did .lot, but said he would obtain
the information. The senator said ha
wanted 20 anow in order to "determ-
inc if we arc buying more shoes than
are necessary"
Senator Weeks said he had receiv.
ed letter IN which it was charged
that many men in the army are OF
German sympathy and that many of
hcers and men in conversation eI-
pressed pro-German sentiment"
VIII Make Inquiry.
Secretary Baker said he had receiv-
ed no inform alton of such conditions
but would make an inquiry.
II don't doubt, but that something OF
that sort exists" said the Massachu-
sets senator, "and / think we ought
to make an example OF someone"
The question then arose as to the
y
Baker in public ON such affairs.
"The secretary himself asked IN a
letter to the chairman" Senator New
OF Indiana, republican, interrupted,
that the meeting be held in a large
room wher all senators and repre-
sentatives VINO desired, could attend"
Senator Reed said he was some
what inclued TO the view that it would
be better 10 put "all cur cards on the
table,
Secretary Baker came up for cross
examination before the senate mill.
tary committee on his picture of tho
state of preparedness of the army.
which congressional critics have at
tackled as grossly exaggerated"
But the political point Of the whole
controversy-the question Of whether
the army is going to get ships to
transport a million men to France this
year-was left untouched. partly be-
cause Secretary Baker did not have
the detailed figures 20 show the COM
mittee on what base he made his
assertion and partly because the COM
mittee got into squabble over wheth-
er 1t would be proper to have the sec
[contlnued On Page Ten.1