New-York tribune., 1918-03-17

the berths for number of ships
placed at the disposition of the Ameri-
cans by the French government. Two
miles OF this new sea frontage con-
sisted of marshes on October l last.
The, ground has been filled in from
fronts. and ships are already along
side some of these new berths.
On other parts of the frontage con-
crete warehouses; are going up and a
great system of switches has been
laid or is in the course of being laid.
: II like to come out here once a
week" said a colonel of the engineers
to the correspondent, "and see how
different things look from what they
did the week before. | almost lose my
way"
This new dockage, with two other
new frOntages that are being developed
in connection with it, will permit forty
large or sixty medium sized steamers
to be unloaded simultaneously.
Secretary Surprises Engineers
Mr.. Bakers questions we're frequent
penetrating and often technical when
the engineers were explaining the rail
way plexus connecting the various
ports with the bases in the interior.
He asked particularly about grades, so
as to estimate the requirements in en-
gne power and the heaviness of loads.
He rather astonished the engineers by
the detailed character of his questions,
which touched the very problems that
bother them most.
At heavy artillery training camp
Secretary Baker saw a battery of long
range, large calibre guns put into posi-
tlon. They were swung over by auto
mobile tractors and shallow recoil
trenches were dug quickly, but with
unerring methods. Mr.. Baker took a
stand close to one of the great pieces
and followed the explanations of the
major in command. 1t was one of the
new guns from a French workshopjand
of type with which the American ar
tillerists already are making a reputa-
tlon at the front
Inspects Big French Gun
The Secretary had been told by
French officers of the skill of the Amer
lean gunners in handling this weapon,
in the management of which the French
artillerists heretofore had considered
themselves unexcelled. Mr.. Baker be-
came so interested that he mounted the
through the master sight and watched
the adjustment of the piece to the
range markings.
The Secretary's train arrived at an
important town near the port at s
o'clock in the morning. The project
of the department, the French general
commanding the district and numerous
American officers were there to well
come him. His reception was simple.
The band, as Secretary Baker and Gen
cral Pershing issued from the station,
sounded the salute to the coors and
a battalion Of American soldiers stood
at salute. That was the only ceremony
of the day except a small review of the
troops at the artillery camp.
Official lunches and dinners are, by
his programme. He and General Per-
shing remain aboard the train at night
and spend most Of their travelling davs
in business.
Twelve thousand men are laborinr
on this great development and the
undertakings related to it in the vicin-
ity, such as warehousing depots, bar
racks for troops, hospitals, rest camps
and railway buildings. 1t is like en-
tering great American port, except
that the merchandise is all American,
not foreign crate or case being found
among the masses of supplies being
transshipped for the American front
Secretary Baker spent some time in
the improvised shipyard, where Ameri-
cans are building lighters so that ships
may be unloaded from both sides at
thes anne time He went into the kitch-
ems providing food for men, mostly
colored, belonging to stevedore regi-
ments. The members of the party
agreed that the meat stews and bread
werem UGH better than could be gotten
in Paris. The only complaint of the
day was from q colored private.