The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-03-21
BAKER IN PERIL
AT THE FRONT
German 1O5 Millimcter Shell
Bursts Within Fifty Yards
of Him.
UNDER FIRE WHOLE DAY
Tramps Through Trenches
and Even Visits an Advanced
Listening Post.
UNDER FIRE WHOLE DAY
By the Associated Press.


March 10 tdelayed) Secretary Baker
had his baptism Of fire this morning in
the front line trenches. and while he
was returning a German shell burst
within less than fifty yards OF his motor
car He was not injured.
The Secretary Of War went into the
trenches in sector the location Of
which may not be revealed. where Amer
lean troops faced the enemy near by.
For half an hour he plodded over the
duckboards. The Germans maintained
an active fire with field pieces and
machine guns. Nevertheless Mr.. Baker
made his way to an advanced sap, en-
tered listening post and talked for
several minutes with the soldier on duty
there.
The shell which burst near the auto
mobile containing the Secretary of War
and the escorting officers was Of los
millimeters diameter practically four
inches). 1t hit roadside dusout. digging
a big crater. Mr.. Baker wished to stop
and ascertain whether there were men in
the dugout, but the chauffeur. realizing
the danger, opened the throttle and
made his best speed until the danger
zone was passed.
Goes to Front at Dawn.
This was Mr.. Bakers hardest and
most exciting day in France. on Mon
day evening, accompanied only by a
General commanding a division and one
other officer. he motored to a point ac-
cessble to the sector selected for his
inspection. He dined and slept in the
chateau OF French friends Of the officers.
! Retiring "a
4 o'clock in the dark Of an overcast
chill March day Taking breakfast
quickly. he drove through the misty
dawn to his destination.
a. the lines were approached the
steady reverberation Of guns signalled
great activity of the artillery. This was
confirmed when on arrival il was found
that the road selected for approa ch to
the trenches was under brisk shell fire
Indeed. the airing was so active as to
cause the General considera BILE appre-
hension for the safety of his distin-
suished guest. He endeavored to dis
suade Mr.. Baker from going on with the
expedition, explaining the danger. But
the Secretary overrode his protest. Ac-
cordingly another route was reluctantly
selected.
The party reentered the motor and was
driven TO the selected point. as far for
ward as motoring was safe. With the
General and the other officer Mr.. Baker
walked over the shell cratered region
to communication trench. lie Wore
civilian clothes covered with n trench
coat military breeches and boots Dor
rowed from a Colonel ~ about his size.
He also put on a shraruel helmet,
Also Carries Gas MASH.
Tie Secretary of War first was ru'
through the regular gas mask drill. He
carried his mask slung at the prescribed
position when he went ill., \ sentry
halted the party IS it Was entering n"
trench and demar:rl a pass
"pi'isiou commander and Secretary
! of War, replied the General
Didn't You know that was the Secre-
4 tary Of War" the sentry was asked as
the party passed by.
: Yes, sir--no, sir" stammered the
confused soldier.
\ Mr. Baker disp,a, ed the ke-nest Gu
riosiy IN the surroundings. 50 strange
TO him, asking explanations o. every
: unfamiliar thing, i's purpose and use.
and frequently breaking in with inter-
} roSations as technical matters were he
ing explained, Several times he asked
; the calihre ~ shells which burst close by.
"Ah, that's machine gun - he eX-
claimed when one opened up from the
American trench
often the Secretary Of War stopped
TO speak to the men. asking homeiv aues-
tions such as: We'll. how is ~ going :"
or Where are YOU from
Fine, sir or Going very we'll, sir
Was the usual reply. Once the Secretary
asked private II much Was going or,
! ITS pretty quiet, sir came the easy
response.
Sees Troops From Home state,
Mr. Bakers questions showed faml'
, iarity with trench 'ructlon and
, technicali,ies which had been gained
, from study There was no mistaking
|, his unrestrained and eager interest
. Troops from Ohio we're among those
in the trench. Several OF the men were
known personally 10 Mr. Baker, and he
talked freely with them about their
homes and families. one man said he
was from Iowa, another from Chicago
The Secretary of War kept up running
comment upon the stranseness Of the
circumsta "a noes under which men from
all over America were fighting in dis
TAM France. Once he remarked ~
have been from farm to factory at home
y, and now I am in the front line
:. Finally. notwithstanding the protes'
Of the officer. Mr.. Baker made his wa>
!, through the sap to the listening post
Peeping over the parapet into No Mans
!, Land. he said
y Now am on the frontier Of free
dom"
= The Secretary OF War asked the lis
tening post sentry n he saw German.
:, often.
Not very often, sir vas the re
sponse, Then he asked whether tbs
Americans shooting was better thar
II that of the enemy and seemed greatly
2 pleased at IN" emphatic reply. Yes
Lit is
u Mr. Baker entered Gueouts and IN
a CoH'inr~d on Second Page,
VENUS PESCIIS-l7 degreea that ~
ideal tor your every purpose.-Adr.