New-York tribune., 1918-04-18
c.cretary Reports to Presi-
d.nt and Cabinet on OBJ
servations in France
Finds Big Progress
Here in His Absence
s,v, Allies Are Full of "De-
termination, Confidence
and Enthusiasm

WASHINGTON. April 17.-President
u;lson ana his War Cabinet heard
..om Secretary Baker to-day that the
s-srican soldier has made good in
France, and that the men of the en-
dictionary forces are we'll physically
and in high spirits.
Although he reported his arrival by
..lephone last night, the War Secre-
,.rv saw the President for the first
.;me since his return from Europe
rhen they met st the Cabinet table.
Hs did not attempt to give full re-
,ort ON what he saw and heard abroad,
and much of the time during the meet
mo he listened to discussion of things
done in his absence by the heads of
a.her government war agencies.
Later Mr.. Baker said even casual OBJ
nration made it evident tremendous
s,ogress had been made on the war
sroeramme since he sailed for France.
Americans Make Good
~The American soldier has made
vood in France" Secretary Baker as
mred newspaper men who met him at
the War Department. "The French and
british authorities are uniform in
their praise of the courage, endurance
snd soldierly qualities of our men,"
aThe big thing for America to do is
10 support the war" the SECRETARY con-
uuued, 'to support it financially and
With firm belief. The right arm of
america is in France. 1t is barred and
rady to strike. The rest of the body
is here in the United States, and it
must support the arm. This support
should include subscriptions to Lib
city loans as well as moral support
The condition of the American
troops, the Secretary said, is excellent.
They are ali well physically, and well
in every other way; their spirits are
high, their behavior admirable, and
their relations with the French and
British cordial and sympathetic, he
said 1.es
aOne rarely meets anaAmerican SOL
der in France who does not smile and
wave his hat, Mr.. Baker added. "The
only sad Americans there are those
who fear they may have to come home
before eSiob IS done. -
"The information / went to get,
got" >f~s-f
His trip, he said, would bring closer
and more understanding cooperation
between the War Department and the
army.
The Secretary feels he is snow
equipped with the means of judging
snd appreciating the kind of coopera-
ton needed"
Magnitude of Our Work
The impression one gets in France
is one Of determination, confidence and
enthusiasm, said Mr.. Baker.
The American. British, French and
Italian armies are filed with this tre-
nendous spirit and the civilian popu-
alton show the same feeling" he said.
Every one is quite determined to see
the JOB through and quite confident of
the outcome. l would say that the
general sentiment is one of inspired
dsterminatlon.
SO far as the work of our own
tsrces is concerned it gives one the
impression OF magnitude, thoroughness
sau speecy accomplishment NO hours
u work are being observed and there
are no limitations on labor A glimpse
u the tremendous extent Of the Amer
fsa supply facilities. lines of COM
Hlhlcatlon, warehouses and numerous
sesools for men and officers reminds
ene Of gigantic beehive filed with en-
srgetic men
Secretary Baker said he had been in
crested to note the. extraordinary ex-
'sh' to which American newspapers
AIRY the war news. European papers,
ne SAID, were irlmeasurably behind
nose OF this country in that respect.
NJ. Baker declined to discuss the
snse on the West front. He said the
nn1aation' had been aptly covered by
.r'ennier Lloyd George when he stated
Mst alternate periods Of cheerfulness
.ad anxiety must be endured for some
Tine tn