The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1918-02-01
CONGRESSMAN AsToUND.
ED BY BAKERS REPLY

WHrDluktOus sttts htthNtHh
Bakers statement Of Americas wal
plan, carrying the assertion that ar
army Of 5OO,000 would be in Franc,
early this year and million and .
half ready to ship TO France during
1918" still remained the center OF
interest at the Capitol today.
The Secretary's outline of tn,
srmy's preparations, revealing many
hitherto carefully-gusrded military
secrets and given yesterday to tn,
Senate Military Committee in answer
to criticisms Of the War Department
made a profound impression on com.
mittee members. Chairman Cham
berlain, who has been the Depart
ment's chief critic, admitted this be-
fore Secretary Baker left the stand.
The Chairman proposed that Mr..
Baker be given a rest and there was
no attempt at discrimination, al
though when the committee today
resumed its investigation Of various
phases of the army's activities il was
understood the Secretary would be
recalled for further examination la
ter.
The Secretary was on the stand
yesterday virtually the entire day.
His statement, which detailed the
huge task in build ng the army and
answered complaints of inefficiency
such as were cited by Senator Cham
berlain in his recent srraigment Of
the War Department, was heard by
many members of Congress, crowded
into the big caucus room Of the Sem
ate office building.
While many things disclosed by
Secretary Baker to show the prog
ress the army had made apparently
surprised tie committee, members
seemed amazed when told that men
in the thirty-two National Guard and
National Army divisional camps were
ready to 90 abroad today if needed.
When Senator Chamberlain asked
the Secretary why the public had
not been taken into confidence in
such matters, Mr.. Baker spoke of
the relucte as of military men to re-
veal army plans and referred to a
statement Of Won Hindenburg to the
effect that America was advertising
her war plans.
"But isn't it fact that Germany
has known all about this?" persisted
Senator Chamberlain.
NO." replied Secretary Baker.
"The German Government is still
mystified regarding the number of
men now in France. They know what
is doing at the front, but Germany
still is in doubt as to the number of
men we have abroad"
The Secretary's statement that the
United States Twill have 100000
men in France early in 1918 and l.
100000 ready to ship to France in
1915" caused many to express the
opinion that war plans contemplated
the completion of the training of
those called in the new draft before
the year ended.
The committee was told that it
would be a tragical thing if the i'm
preston which had gone out that the
War Department had broken down
was allowed to remain unchallenged.
He spoke of the devotion of his as
sociates in the Department, military
and civilian, in strong terms. Never
in the history of time, he declared,
had and army of its size been raised, |
equipped, trained and prepared for
battle as had that of the United |
States. Emphasizing that he was not !
there TO defend himself or anybody, !
the Secretary urged the committee |
again and again to lay bare any
shortcomings of the Department that
might be corrected.
Recall of Secretary Baker for
ross-examination before the end of
the week was decided upon today by
the committee.
Howard f. Coffin, head of the Air
craft Board, and his assistants were
called before the committee today to
tell in executive session of the Liber-
ty motor and other aviation affairs.
Although impressed with Secre-
tary Bakers disclosures of the mag |
nitude Of army operations, the SEN
ate Committee intends to pursue its
demands for Capitalization of war
authority through a War Cabinet and !
a Munition Director.
Chairman Chamberlain said. how !
ever, that the War Cabinet bill will !
be resubmitted to the committee for
another vote before being repcrted |
to the Senate. He said this course
would be taken because he did rot /
wish it to appear that a majority Of /
the committee favoring the war re-