Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-11

Paris. March 10.--The American sec
rotary of war. Newton y. Baker has
arrived at a French port.
Visit Purely Military
Washington, March 1O-Upon hear
ing of Secretary Bakers safe arrival
III France through The Associated
Press dispatch from Paris, the war de-
partment tonight announced that the
secretarys visit is purely military and
not diplomatic and is for purposes of
inspection and personal conference
with military officers. Mr.. Baker is ac-
companied by Maj. Gen. William NJ.
Black. chief of engineers: Lieut.. Col NJ.
l.. Brett and Ralph Hayes. his private
secretary.
Secretary Baker plans to pass a brief
time in France inspecting in person the
concrete results already achieved in the
effort of his department to place in the
field this year an army that will be a
factor in the campaign.
On the eve of his departure Mr.. Baker
told members of the press who have
been in the habit of seeing him every
DAY that he did not expect to be away
for any considerable length of time.
No Hint of Trip Printed
The secretary and his party itft
Washington without any other attempt
at concealment of their movements
than q request that the press refrain
from reporting his departure. The
newspapers again worked in hearty CO.
10
as possible from German submarines.
No hint of the trip has been prlnteu.
For several months the war secretary
has been eager to see for hlmselt coho'-
tons at the front and to talk over WIN
Gen Pershing the man upon whom the
full burden of responsibility for the en-
tire American war program in france
has been placed. the many problems that
have arisen to impede the carrying out OF
the departments plans. III was lmpossl-
ble for Gen. Tershing TO come home Tor
such q conference. Mr.. Baker determined.
after many conferences with President
Wilson to go himself on an inspection
tour which will, he believes, better fiji
him for his great responsibility in meet
ing Gen. Pershing's requirements in fight
ing men and materials and keeping IN
operation supply line more than 5000
miles long.
1t is regarded as probable, too, THAI
the secretary Will take the opportunity
to inform the American commander in the
field very fully as TO all the hopes and
aims of the government which are at
stake in the war
Mr.. Baker is the first member of Pres
ident Wilson cabinet to go to the battle
zone. out of his conferences, not only
with Gen. pershing but with the leaders
Of the French and British governments
as well, will come direct information for
the President as III what IS transpiring
in the Allied countries to aid him in
shaping his future course.
The war secretary is in Europe as the
Presidents official representative and the
fact that it is his war secretary and not a
diplomatic representative is regarded as
evidence of the determination Of the
President TO press the war aggressively
to victory.
War Department Statement
No official report on the secretarys ar
rival had been received. The war de-
partment issued a statement saying:
For some time Secretary Baker has
desired 10 visit the headquarters OF the
American expeditionary forces He sail
ed from an American port about Feb. q.
Secretary Baker has not determined
the length OF time he will remain In
France, but his stay will be long enough
to enable him TO make q thorough in.
spection of the American forces abroad
and 10 hold important conference with
American military officers
1T Isl expected that not only will sec
rotary Baker visit the American head
quarters. but his inspection tour will COW.
err construction projects. including docks.
railroads and ordnance bases. now under
way back of the American lines"