Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-22
BAKER REVIEWS TROOPS
FROM HIGH PLATEAU
Slips and Slides on Greasy Mud
When Rain Forces Him to
Climb OH Foot.
TROOPS SHOW EFFICIENCY
Goes Into Billets to Personally In
spect Foods and Equipment and
Got From the Soldiers Their
Views.
IBy Associated Pr.s..1

fBy Associated Pres.1
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
+ FRANCE Wednesday,, March 2o.-Sec
/ rotary Baker to-day concluded his
/ visit of inspection to the American
military zones in France with Il trip
which took him from the Nerdun sec
tor TO great headquarters. and in
ciuded review OF one brigade OF the
First Division. which he addressed as
representative Of tho whole army. The
secretary also visited the birthplace OF
Jeanne Of Are. and made an incidental
inspection Of the troops here and there
over tho route which hc ,ravcrscd.
ro-nicht the secretary departed to
fulfil, other aspects Of his visit to
France.
the brigade OF the First Division
was reviewed from stage on high
plateau comma ndng wide panorama
Of ono OF the most scenicaily beautiful
parts Of France. 1t is reached 10y
steen winding road from the VALLEY
below. \ twcnty-hour rain had made
/ 1t Inaccessible by motor. 50 the sccrc-
iary and his party made the ascent on
foot. slipping and sliding on the grassy
mud
Jus; as they arrived AT the stand.
General Pershing and his personal
siaN came across the field and dis
mounted. The entire party then joined
the waiting division and brigade gen
erals and their stats
:, cold March wind and occasional
squalls Of rain made the scene more
impressive as the brigade. IN full
marching equipment, swept by at COM
pany front, each salutinS like clock
II. 1.
swelled and softcucd in tho rusty wind.
Secretary Baker lttcd his hs, to each
resimcntal nag as ii was lowered in
salute and occasiona!'y srok" TO Cen
eral rershins. who stood beside him.
REVIEWS MEN WHO had
STOOD TEST or RATTLE
This brigade from the first division
to put foo. in France WAS composed Of
mon seasoned in training under sum
mer and winter skies and INJURED 10
mud ard cold under all conditions %
campaigning Ihcy we're :ho hrst IN
the trenches and the first - suffer
"a sualtics. UH..cr the weigh ~ full
hcld ,Guipmen: from trench tool TO cs-
trs tools, ste'i helmetcd. tanned ana
ut the soldiers stopped swinginrly
through the sticky mud that was al
most too much for the mules who drew
the ono FOUNDERS and tho wheeled
Kitchens.
|. was the first time an en,ire brigade
when had been IN action had been re
viewed and the secretary comp!imcnted
the general commanding the colonies Of
the various units When the review
was concluded the brigade and COM
missioned officers assembled in semi
circle and were presented in body 10
h,., i'm
in a brief address in which he com
pli:ncnted their record OF fitness and
efficiency.
Secretary Baker with barred head.
in the cold wind. told the officers they
wtrs typical American soldiers and
.aid they We're tho point OF the wedge
OF the svmy which tho whole Amcri-
can neopie Is driving into th- ranks
OF their adversary"
The oihcers then formed in line and
each shook hands with The secretary
as his name was announced The
secretary acknowledged each greeting
and when some acquaintance APP
preached he added PERSONAL word
OF Two. General Pershtus showed
gratIfcation a. the splendid condition
and appearance Of the brigade and
remarked:
These men have been there and
know what it is. You can tell that by
the way they throw ,', their chests
a. they swing by"
When the review was over the hri-
sade disbanded into units and marched
back 10 the camps. The secretary.
General Ptrshing and his staff and
the other generals trudged down the
hlll through the mud 10 the waiting
motor ears.
Secretary Bakers day was fan
one, as he covered several hundred
hiiometers in his automobile Early
in ihe morning he drove To the Verdun
region 10 spot from which Fort
b"uaumont was visible. He saw the
artiNiues behind the French lines and
IONS artillery wagon train and
marching troops
DRIVES TO NERDUN REGION
TO VIEW FORT DOUAUNONT
On tho way, The Secretary stopped
Wherever American troops were bill
'eted the organizations turning on, for
Inspection. The soldiers were uues-
toned regarding details OF foods. bill
cts ana equipment. and the secretary
''ten went INFO the biilcts 10 get a
personal Impression. The only COM
plant esistcred was about scant
1901 ration. which was found TO be
que TO The temporary change in the
STATIONS OF the units affected Once
inc Secertarys party met travelling
"itchen. The secretary left his auto
monte and had a taste Of the SOUP and
iood. Ills comment was. Very good"
l'urinS the day Secretary Baker
VISITED The French divisional COM
mander. "ho complimcnted the Ameri-
can troops. saying he had called the
attention Of his men OF The eNna,litious