The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-06
BAKER SENDS A
MESSAGE HOME
FOR 1.-THE Boys
They're Well Fed, Do Not Lack
Supplies or Attention.
War Secretary Wears Tin Hat
While Visiting Front Line.
CARRIES HANDY GAS MASK
Boche Shells Overhead and
Shrapnel Burst Nearby.
One Lands Near His AutO-A
Greeting From Fritz.
War Secretary Wears Tin Hat
While Visiting Front Line.
CARRIES HANDY GAS MASE
Ry FRED s. FERGUSON.

April secretary Baker While here
addressed members of the RAINBOW
division who have been on -ne flrlng
line, promising to convey message
from them to the folks at home"
ITO your relatives. scattered thru
the states, I will send a message tell
ing them you are well-fed ana 90 NOT
lack the supplies and attentions which
safeguard your health ne sara.
will be proud of your good conduct
and clean living which go with clean
hard fighting and the principles FOR
which you fight"
Bakers visit was a surprise to the
men in the trenches. The greatest Sc
crecy was maintained regarding The
arrangements for the trip.
Had Drilled With Gas Mask.
The secretary wore borrowed off,
| GERS uniforll pants, civiiian coat rain
coat, puttees and tin hat" and car
ried a gas mask. Previously he had
taken a gas mask drill
After inspecting dugoutS and the
front line trenches, he traversed sap
to a listening post, nearest the Ger
man trenches. When he returned to
the regular lines, he remarked:
Now I've been from the farms to
| the factories; from the homes to the
! front line"
He chatted with the men, frequent
ly asking. What part of Ohio are you
| from?''
Some of the men recognized the sec
| rotary of war and drew up stiffly at
| attention.
Baker asked the men how things
were going and how they were feel
ing. The ultimate opinion was that
everything was quiet
Some boche shells passed over
head and the secretary inquired what
size they were.
A soldier dropped a hammer in
the mud. Baker picked it up The
soldier demonstrated, but Baker said
he was afraid it would be lost.
A listening post sentry bashfully
assured the secretary that the Amer
leans shoot better than the boches."
When Baker arrived at certain
brigade headquarters, seven batteries
nearby were being shelled. There
| were frequent explosions as the enc
my shells struck in the vicinity.
| There was some delay in starting
while a route to the trenches was be-
ing picked to avoid traversing the
German barrage.
Feared for Guests Safety.
Tho entire sector was lively with
| treaking shrapnel.
There were only four in the party
Baker. a division general, major
| from the press sector and guide
The other members of the party
| were extremely nervous regarding
Bakers welfare, but he was obviously
cool
Entering the communication
trenches, they were stopped by SEN
try. The general stepped forward
and announced:
THE secretary of war"
| Yes, sir! yes. sir" stammered the
sentry and snapped the rifle to salute
AS Baker passed, a shell burst near
his automobile. He inquired whether
anyone was hurt. When he was as
sured there were no casualties. mis-
automobile was speeded up to carry
him out of the danger zone.
The party passed American guns
that were in action, while machine
gun bullets whistled overhead.
Returning to the rear. the secre-
tary visited men who we're billeted ir
barn. He clambered up a ladder to
the hay loft and asked about the
mems health.
One of them replied that he had the
grip.
You've certainly had a grip or
Germany" Baker replied.
The colonel presented to Baker the
helmet of a German lieutenant cap
tured in a raid. The secretary ac-
cepted it, but later said he was going
20 give it to the coloners mother.
Baker stood with his head uncov-
cred by a roadside cemetery where
half a dozen soldiers are buried while
the military funeral of another Wa:
in progress. He remained uncoveret
in silent tribute to the dead thruou
| the service.
While visiting a hospital wher,
there are several gas victims under
going trea tment, Baker talked with
wounded officer who had been deco
rated with the French croix de guerre
I've got a war cross but l can't veal
it, he told Baker.
Full of Pepper
'As secretary of war, L give you au
thority to wear it, was the reply.
! While en- route to the trenches
Baker had inspected a detachment O
infantry that was drawn up in a vii
lage street. The first rays of the SUI
were just streaking the sky when tn.
American troops smartly presented
arms.
Baker addressed them briefly anC
later visited French divisional com
mander. VINO complimented the Amer
lean soldiers.
The frequent remark of Baker o.
he met groups of soldiers during hi
inspection trip was:
You're a good looking bunch-ful
of pepper"
|