The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-04-21

the war. and declared that the Ger
mans were but children In psychol
ogy. They have adopted. he said
pure naked force as their doctrine
believing force-brutal fOrce-to be
the greatest power.
But the British, French. Italian
and we ourselves accept that chal-
lenge as il has been made. There is
no answer except cold, relentless,
adequate force in reply"
Il have had the rare good fortune
to carry to our army in France q
message from home" said Secretary
Baker.
an return, they have sent back a
message 10 you" he continued. THAT
message Is this: we will do our part;
you do yours"
This war presents to US especial
and peculiar features, and especial
and peculiar difficulties. Ours Is a
country OF enormous powers and re-
sources. But in this war the place
where We are to use those powers
and resources Is 5000 miles from this
powerhouse and distribution station.
AT the beginning OF the war. in
peace times. perhaps. even then there
were not enough ships for this dis
tribution.
France. England and Italy are not
confronted with this difficulty. In
France. the home country is literally
at the soldiers elbow. In Italy he
has but TO look over his shoulder to
see his home. England has but a
channel to cross.
Cordial FeeIinEA
zone of the greatest emotions
aroused is by the cordial feeling be-
tween the American soldiers and the
French people. Everywhere, too. we
find not only cooperation between
the alliance. but almost identity in
belief, feeling, possessions, and &C
ton.
II saw American soldiers by the
tens of thousands, from the seacOast
TO the trenches, and 1 did not see one
of them OF whom I was not proud.
And they didn't know who l was in a
great many cases, and were not eX-
pecting a visit from me.
zone incident that expressed the
whole spirit OF IL all / remember
seeing through the window Of an
auto. There was a French woman
in black, weeping. followed BY two
French children OF the kind one sees
all over France. And alongside was a
great six foot American soldier. doing
his best TO comfort her.
"He seemed to me to typify the
spirit that the Americans are over
there to comfort those who for so
many years have borne the brunt Of
this war.
I'VE are fighting a foe who have
made a doctrine Of force, and we
have accepted the challenge as II was
made. There is but one way to an
swer that challenge. and that is by
cold. adequate, relentless force"
As the Secretary spoke this. his
voice took on a stronger ring. and
he Strengthened to lend emphasis to
the words.
when our boys were sent into the
trenches to receive their final ed
ucatiOn under fire, there was a GER
tain officer in the regular ARMY
dare not make known his name: Il
Is known to many in this audience
who walked all night long up and
down the trenches. touching his men
Dn the arm. There was a raid that
night, and they had To fight the foe
pr.
The next dsy they were telling
how they felt during the hours OF
that night. and one officer said
Early in the night he came TO me
and touched me on the shoulder. |
how goes II? and when I
answered him. replied. Good. Hold I
EN-. And all night long l could feel Z
mis- hand on my shoulder. and hear his
'oice in my ear: Hold EN-"
Those boys over there" continued
secretary Baker, know what is going .
N in America. They know every /
hing that happens here. And they .
an feel the hands from across the I
ca on their shoulders on the darkest .
light. and hear the voices or their /
riends and cOuntrymen: Hold EN-" j..