The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-12-06

Washington, Dec. 6-The question of permanent organization of the army has been deferred for consider ation after the close of the peace con- ference Secretary Baker, in his an nual report made public Wednesday, says this course is determined upon since "the military needs of the United States cannot be prudently as- sessed until that conference shall have determined the future international relations of the world.
 For temporary purposes, however, MT. Baker announces that he will lay before Congress g. plan of reorganiza- tion for the regular army which shall continue as the nucleus of any future military establishment"
 The Secretary also indicates his in tention to press for perpetuation by law of the strong General Staff or ganizahon built up during the war.
 q have refrained in this report" MT. Baker says, from making specific recommendations for future legislation for two reasons. In the first place, the signing of the armistice has not formally closed the war. We have at present a great military establishment which can not be immediately dissolv- ed, and the activities of the depart ment for some time at least must be concerned with what we have. In the second place, the peace conference Is about to assemble and the military needs of the United States can not be prudently assessed until that confer ence shall have determined the future international relations of the world. The department will present to the Congress a plan for the maintenance of Regular army which shall con tinue as the nucleus of any future military establishment, pending the time when the experience through which we have gone can be digested and the future needs of the nation maturely considered.
 'In any case it Is clear that the ed ucation of officers and a constant study of the science of warfare will be necessary, and it is my hope that the great military academy at West Point can be supplemented by an en- Engagement and broadening of the special schools which are at present organized but should be made to take on more the character of post-gradu.
  research specialists in the severa arms This subject, however, is one upon which casual comment is no helpful and I refer to it only becaus, it seems the one clear indication iron our experience as to our future pol icy"
 The story of the American army part in the war overseas Secretar, Baker leaves very largely to Genera Pershing, whose report covering op erations up to Nov. 20, following tn cessation of hostilities, is attached t that of the Secretary as is the repOl of Chairman Fosdick of the Commis sion on Training Camp Activities
 An adequate account of the activi ties of the department for the yes now ending can be written" M Baker says, "Only in the long reache of historical inquiry when there wi be time and opportunity to examin in detail not merely statistical exhibit which tell in numbers of men an guns what America did, but also { apprise the contributions of patriot zeal and service which came fro field and factory, from civilian an soldier alike and which represent their aggregate the life of the natio concentrated upon a single purpose
 In h!s brief recital of the events the war. Mir. Baker selects the bait of the Mouse as from the viewpoi1 of military strategy, Americas grea est contribution to the successful ou come of the war" since by that attac of the American armiC5 the Sedan Mezieres railway, the main artery
 the German supply system, was GU The entire available strength of u American army in France, 2s divi ions, were in line in the second wee z October, he says, making yard l yard progress against despera enemy resistance which finally w worn out and on Nov 1, the Amer can troops broke through" The o Ject of the drive the strategic co, ception of which included the Britil dTtvSAt the northern end of the raj