Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-12-08
BATTLE OF THE MEUSE AMERICA'S GREATEST
 MILITARY STRATEGY
Secretary Baker In His Report Ad-
 vecates PerpetuatiOn of Strong Gen.
 eral Staff Built Up During the War.


 Washington, Dec. S.-The question of permanent organization of the army has been deferred for consideration af- ter the close of the peace conference Secretary Baker, in his annual report made public tonight, says this course is determined upon since "the mili- tary needs of the United States cannot be prudently assessed until that con- ference shall have determined the fu- ture international relations of the world"
 For temporary purposes, however, Mr. Baker announces that he will lay before Congress plan of reorganiza- tion for the regular army, which shall continue as the nucleus of any future military establishment"
 The Secretary also indicates his in tention to press for perpetuation by law of the strong General Staff or ganization built up during the war.
 q have refrained in this report, Mr. Baker says, from making speci- fic recommendation for future legis- lation for two reasons. In the first place, the signing of the armistice has not formally closed the war We have at present great military es- lishment which can not be immediate ly dissolved, and the avtivities of the Department for some time at least must be concerned with what we have. In the second place, the peace confer ence is about to assemble and the military needs of the United States can not be prudently assessed until that conference shall have determin- ed the future international relations of the world. The Department will present to the Congress a plan for the maintenance of Regular Army which shall continue as the nucleus of any future military establishments, pending the time when the experience through which we have gone can be digested and the future needs of the Nation maturely considered.
 Tn any case it is clear that the education of officers and a constant study of the science of warafre will be necessary and it is my hope that the great Military Academy at West Point can be supplemented by an en- largement and broadening of the special schools which are at pres ent organized but should be made to take on more the character of post graduate courses and to develop and train research specialists in the sev- eral arms This subject however, is one upon which casual comment is not helpful and refer to it only because it seems the one clear indication from our experience as to our future pol icy"
 The story of the American army's part in the war overseas Secretar. Baker leaves very largely to Genera Pershing, whose report covering op erations up to Novepber 20, following the cessation of hostilities, is attached 10 that of the Secretary as is the re- port of Chairman Fosdick of the Com. mission on Training Camp Activities
 An adequate account of the activi ties of the department for the veal now ending can be written" Mr. Baker says, "only in the long reaches of his. torical inquiry when there will be time and opportunity to examine il detail not merely statistical exhibits which tell ill numbers of men and guns what America did, but also to ap praise the contributions of patriotic zeal and service which came iron field and factory, from civilian ant and soldier alike and which represent in their aggregate the life of the na tion concentrated upon single pur. pose.''
 In his brief recital of the events o the war, Mr. Baker selects the battle of the Mouse as from the viewpoint of military strategy, Americas great est contribution to the successful out come of the war" since by the attacl of the American armies the Sedan Mezieres railway, the main artery O. the German supply system was cut The entire available strength of tht American army in France, 2s divisions were in line in the second week of Oc tober, he says, making yard by yart progress against desperate enemy re sistance which finally was worn ou ''and on November 1, the American troops broke through" The object O the drive the strategic conception O