Evening journal., 1918-12-05
ARMY ORGANIZATION
WATTS Peace Terms
Secretary Baker Issues His
Annual Report--Tells of
War Achievements
MEUSE HE SAYS
GREATEST EVENT

WASHINGTON. Dec. 5.-rhe question
or permanent organization Of the army
has been deferred for consideration
after the close OF the peace conference.
secretary Baker, In his annual report,
made public last night. said this course
ls determined upon, since 1.-The mill
tary needs OF the United States cannot
De prudently assessed until that con-
ference shall have determined the fu-
ture International relations OF the
world
For temporary purposes, however
Mr.. Baker announces that he viii lay
before Congress a plan OF reorganlza-
tion for the regular army (which shall
continue as the nucleus OF any future
military establishment"
The secretary also indicates his In
tention to pross for perRetuatlon by
law OF the strong general stan organ
lzation built up during the war. He
says:
1T is clear that the education of Of
ficers and constant study of the SOL
ence OF warfare VIII be necessary. and
u Is my hope that the great military
academy at West Point can be supple
mented by an enlargement and broad
ening OF the special schools which are
at present organized, but should be
made to take on more the character OF
postgraduate courses and 10 develop
and train research specialists In the
several arms"
The story OF the American Army's
part In the war overseas Secretary
Baker leaves very largely 10 General
Pershing, whose report covering opera
tions up TO November 20. following the
cessation OF hostilities. is attached TO
that Of the secretary, as Is the report
Of Chairman Fosdick, OF the Commits
sion on Training Camp Activities.
In his brief recital OF the events OF
he war, Mr.. Baker selects the battle
II The Meuse as from the viewpoint
II military strategy, Americas greatest
contribution 10 the successful outcome
Of the war" since by that attack OF the
American armies the Sedan-Mezieres
railway, the main artery Of the German
supply system, was cut. The entire
available strength OF the American
army In France, 2s divisions, were In
line in the second week OF October,
he says, making yard by yard progress
against desperate enemy resistance
which finally was worn out land on
November 4, the American troops broke
through" The object Of hesdrive, the
Strategic conception OF which included
the British drive at the northern end
of the railway system and the French
advance IN the center. was accom-
plshed on November Z, when the
americans entered the outskirts OF Sc
dan to be Joined there the next day
by the French.
"The meeting OF French and Ameri-
can troops on this historic spot. MT:
Baker saws, "signaiized the defeat OF
the German arms, a defeat as decisive
and humIliating as that forced upon
france AZ years before at the same
spot II there had been questions be-
fore as 10 the acceptance OF the srnlis-
lice terms, the Allied advance culmin-
atng in this meeting at Sedan left no
choice IN the matter"
IN sketching the building up OF the
war army Mr.. Baker selects a Few
striking figures as illustrations or what |
each step meant and what has been |
On the day the arnistice |
vas signed, he declares. more than - 4
per cent Of the entire male population I
II the country between the ages OF 10 !
md 81 years was In the military serN-
ice. the army having reached a total 4
II 1864 900 men, more than 100000 ot
--hom were in Europe, as compared 1
with a strength Of 1854 in March,
OF. a week before war was declared.
TO illustrate the speed OF this ex-
nansion. the report cites the fact that
he British army in France had reached
Is high mark in the summer OF 1917,
three years after the beginning OF the
var. and that figure was slightly
more than 100000 men" 1t took 10
for the United States to reach
he same strength there, but Mr.. Baker
POINTS out that during those years OF
battle British manpower had been heav-
lly called upon 10 replace casualties,
while for many months the flow OF