South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-14
BAKER URGES
ALL To MATCH
YANKS' SPIRIT
War Secretary Declares Amer
iCan Army Displays UnfaiI-
ing GaIlantry and Cheer
in Battling Hun.
international News Service

AtAuAlAOMuA 4NthH EtINlits
WASHINGTON, oct. 14-Sec'y
Of War Baker. upon his return to
Washington after a six weeks visit
to the American army overseas to-
day urged the people at home to re
spond TO the call of the Liberty
loan in the same generous spirit that
is displayed by every soldier in
France in his willingness to make
the great sacrifice" 10 drive the
Hun out of France and Belgium.
Mr.. Baker declared that the en-
tire American army was in excellent
health as well as spirits. that every
one was happy even to the men in
hospitals crippled for life. They
greet all visitors with "A smile, ne
said, and their only regret was not
the loss of "A limb. but their inability
10 return TO the front for another
crack at the enemy" With such
courage as this shown everywhere.
the secretary said. the least Ameri-
cans at home could do was to give
these boys the financial backing
which they so well deserved.
Stears Clear of Peace Talk.
The secretary declined 10 discuss
the peace negotiations, but preferred
10 confine his remarks 10 what he
had seen He witnessed the begin
ming Of the st. Mihiel drive and visit
ed the town at noon of the day fol-
lowing the Germans evacuation.
He was accompanied by Gen. Petain
and Gen. Pershing. One of the first
things that attracted his attention
was the display of the tri-colors on
practically every building in the
town, Notwithstanding that the Ger
man forces had occupied the place
for three and half years. The peo-
pie also were dressed in gala attire
and upon inquiry the secretary was
informed that during the entire
German occupation Of the place this
fnery and the sacred flags had been
hidden away. Mr. Baker was struck
by the politeness of the children of
the place and learned that they had
acquired that habit as the best
means of getting on peaceably with
the German army. Children of the
place were forced to work in the
trenches. carrying food to the sol
diers
villa Nearly Intact.
Sec'y Baker told Of an interesting
incident which took place in st
Mihiel Col de Chamhron. brother
in-law Of Rep. Longworth. liaison
officer between Cen. Pershing and
Gen. Petain. had told Mr. Baker
that during the bombardment his
home in the outskirts Of the town.
had. he feared. been demolished
/ Upon reaching the villa on the out
skirts Of the town it was found
to be intact with the exception Of
a small wing which had been bomb
ed An inspection OF the interior
, revealed that all its contents had
been removed or destroyed. Every
picture had been removed except
one. an old engraving of Lafayette
/ OF whom Col de Chambron is a
4 descendant made ir 1892 This he
+ presented TO Mr. Baker
Yankee Remains Modest
The American soldier Is actually
worshipped everywhere. the secre-
+ tary said The khaki is everywhere
I 10 he found and wherever seen a
smiling and happy soldier is the
wearer.
, But with all the nattery heaped
upon the Americans it has not af-
/ fected them. Mr.. Baker said. on the
/ contrary. ne said. the modesty OF
the American soldier is only sec
. ondary 20 his courage.
IN England the doughboys are
held I'm the same high esteem as in
/ France. but in the old city II Win
chester Sec'y Baker told Of an Incl
dent which nearly caused interna-
tional complications. 4 Marty OF sol
diers were taken on a sight-seeina
I expedition in the venerable Hall OF
I Winchester, one Of the most histor-
ic structures in England and built
in the 18th century. One of the men
carried away the old wrought iron
KEY 10 the building which had been