The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-02-08
SECRETARY BAKER
ANSWERS CHARGES
EMPHATICALLY DENIES THAT
GOVERNMENT WAR MAcHiN-
cry HAS BROKEN DOWN.
A MILLION MEN NOW READY
War Secretary Shou'cers Entire Re-
sponsibiIity for Calling Men Be-
fore Equipment Was Entirely
Ready for Them.

Washington, Jan. 31.-America will
! have an army of half million men in
France early this year. with million
more trained and equipped ready to
follow as quickly as ships can be pro-
vided to carry them-and the outlook
| for ships is not unpromising.
Secretary Baker gave this informa-
| ton to the world in Il statement be-
fore the senate military committee
barring much that until now has been
carefully guarded with the army's mil
itary secrets, in answering charges
that the government has broken down
preparing for war.
The secretary addressed the com
mittee and crowd including many
members of both houses of congress,
gathered in a big hearing room of the
senate office building. He spoke eX-
temporaneously. beginning with details
of the mammoth task of building an
army of million and half, answer
ing such complaints of inefficiency as
were cited by Senator Chamberlain in
his recent speech, and declaring that
such instances were isolated and not
general. Some questions were asked.
and Mr.. Baker from time to time had
assistants go TO the telephone for re-
ports on specific questions.
Then toward the close of his talk
the secretary delivered dramatic
general statement of the American
war plan. telling of the coming of the
allied missions. Of the day and night
conferences with men from the scene
of battle in which the plans now be-
ing executed were adopted, and OF
success beyond the most sanguine eX-
pectations in building the army, and
its industrial support at home, trans
porting men across the ocean, con-
structing railroads in France and pre- |
pairing to strike the enemy with every |
resource at the country's command.
Creates Profound Impression.
When Mr.. Baker closed it was APP |
parent he had created profound i'm
preston. Chairman Chamberlain said |
so before he left the stand. There
was no attempt ut cross-examination.
The chairman proposed that the sec
rotary be given a rest and 1t virtually
was agreed to recall him for further
examination later after the commit
tee has completed its hearings of Of
ficers of the medical corps, aviation
section and other branches of the SER
vice.
Emphasizing that he was not there
to defend himself or anybody else.
the secretary urged the committee
again and again to lay bare any short
,omings or failures of the department
hat it might be corrected.
For one reason or another" he said,
he impression has gone out into the
to some extept at least. that
he war department has fallen down.
Denies He Has Fallen Down.
SIT would be tragical thing if this :
tremendous effort, this wholly unprec-
,dented sacrifice made by men, were
o turn out to deserve the comment
hat it had fallen down.
Never in the history of time. he
declared. had an army of its size been
aised, equipped. trained and prepared 5
or battle as has that of the United |
states. {
Mr.. Baker took personal response
,ility for getting men under training s
,efore their equipment was ready ito /
he last shoe button" Such officers as {
Iaior General Leonard Wood, he said, {
lad urged this policy. He described {
differences that evolved the ordnance l
rogram and its fulfillment, submit
ing documents to prove that France I
nd Great Britain are supplying ar 6
illery and machine guns for the first {
orces at their own urgent request in
rider that ships might be used for :
Their purposes.
Pershing Consulted.
In all that was done prior to the
eparture of the first troops, General r
charad i'm fba deIihera tiOns