The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-29
Replies to Attack Made by
Chamberlain With Story
Of Preparation.
SENATORS ARE DEEPLY
AFFECTED BY ADDRESS
Reviews Americas Entrance
Into Struggle by Giving
Detailed Report.

Washington, Jan. 2s.-America will
France early this year. With a mil
lion more trained and equipped ready
to follow as quickly as ships can be
provided to carry them-and the out
look for ships Is not unpromisIng.
Secretary Baker gave this informa :
tion to the nation and to the world to-
day in a statement before the senate
military committee, barring much that
until now has been carefully guarded
with the army's military secrets. in an
swering charges that the government
has broken down preparing for war.
Talked All Day.
From early morning until late after
noon the secretary addressed the COM
mittee, and a crowd including many
members of both houses of congress
gathered in a big hearing room Of the
senate office building. He spoke ex-
ternporaheously. Beginning with de-
tails Of the mammoth task Of building
an army of a million and half, an
swering such complaints of eff
cheney as were cited by Senator Cham
berlain in his recent speech, and de-
cfaring that such instances were iso-
lated and not general. Some ques-
tions were asked and Mr.. Baker. from
time to time, had assistants go to the
telephone for reports on specific ques-
tions.
Makes Dramatic Ending.
Then, toward the close of the day the
secretary delivered dramatic general
plan, telling the coming of the allied
missions, Of the day and night con-
ferenccs with men from the scene Of
battle In which the plans now being
executed We're adopted and of success
beyond the most sanguine expections,
In building the army and it's industrial
support at home, transporting men
across the ocean, constructing rail
roads In France and preparing to
strike the enemy with every resource
at the country's command.
When Mr.. Baker closed 1t was APP
parent he had created a profound i'm
preston. Chairman Chamberlain said
SO before he left the stand, There
WAS no attempt at cross ss-examination.
The chairman proposed that the see
retary be given rest and II virtually
was agreed 10 recall him for further
examination later after the commit :
tee has completed it's hearings of Off
GERS of the medical corps, aviation sec
tion and other branches of the service.
Urged Criticism. g.
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 com =
ing or failure Of the department that
II might be corrected. -
For one reason or another" he said
'sthe impression has gone out into the
country to some extent, at least. tha.
the war department has fallen down
1T would be a ira gical thing il this
tremendous effort this wholly unprece
dcnted sacrifice made by men. were in
fact to turn out to deserve the com
ment that It had fallen down.
Takes Responsibility.
Never in the history of time hf
declared. had an army of its size beer
raised. equipped. trained and prepared
for battle as had that of the United
iStates.- Mr.. Baker took persona
responsibility for getting men undel
training before their equipment was
ready, ito the last shoe button" Suct
officers as Major General Leonard
Wood. he said. had urged this policy
He described conferences that evolvet
the ordnance program and its fulfill
nent, submitting documents to pros,
that France aud Great Britain wer'
supplying artillery and machine gun
fer the first forces at their own urgen
request, in order that ships might b
used for other purposes.
psrshing Shared.
In all that was done prior TO the de
parture of the first troops. Genera
Pershing shared in the deiiberation
and approved the decisions reached
lGr. Baker declared. and now surround
ed with staff OF trained regular Off
GERS. who could III be spared from tn
great task at home. Pershing is i
lcenttaned On PaSs FJve,)