The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-06-04
COST OF War
Was VERY HEAVY
England's Bill For Transporting
American Troops Was
Eighty Millions
CONGRESS NOW GET
TING THE FACTS
President Wilson Advanced Five
Million to Czecho-slovaks

Washington. May 29.-England's
bill for Transporting a million Amer
ican soldiers across tie Atlantic IN
British ships IS approximately $S2.-
100000. This ard :he fact that Pres
ident Wilson advanced S5,GG2,000 OF
his special fund-and probably more
to the Czecho-Sloval1s were the two
chief developments Of today's hearing
OF Secretary Baker, General March
and other war department officials be-
fore the house military committee.
The army appropriation bill which
failed at the last congress was under
discussion
The president assisted two Of the
Czecho- -Slovak corps" said General
March, from money at his disposal
to the extent of s5,O00.00o and I think
he has given them allotments since
so that the Czechs could get arms.
The charge was to be ultimately
against the Czecho-Slovak countries
which the allies proposed to organize
in central Europe 1t is {, regular
debt like any other debt between na-
ticns''
This so far as is known was the
first information congress has had CT
advances of money to the Czechs from
The presidents fund.
The British bill for transportation
of American troops reused quite q lit
lie discussion. Brigadier General
Hines, director OF transportation, said
Great Britain originally asked $3.50
ecr transporting each soldier to
France but the cost finally was re-
duccd 10 $S1.73. Tlirtv-fve million
dollars already has been paid. Con-
gressnen asked # the general did not
think the charge excessive but he re-
piled ne believed the cost Of trans
porting troops il American ships
would turn out TO be higher.
Secretary Baker renewed his rec
oi2mendation that provision be made
fov the maintenance Of an army of
! 500, 600 men during the next yeSr. He
said II would be impossible at this
tine to determine accurately what the
average number Of men would he for
/ the year and t.at it would be unsafe
to provide for less than would be
needed.
TIE secretary requested that con-
gress take up the problem OF what
should be done with war projects un-
completed when the ar2listice was
signed.
General March, reviewing progress
IN der.obiliza. said facilities had
been provided for the return of 365,
600 men . month and that if an army
Of occupation We're found unnecessary
every soldier in Europe could be re-
turned by September l. The general
sad demobil;Zation in army camps in
tbs ccuntry also was progressing rap
IDLY and that civilians We're bo;7s en-
ploEed to take the places OF lGie-s
az q marked saving to the sJyern-
raent.'
Questioned regarding the reason Cor
retaining drafted American soldiers III
Russia and Siberia. General 1Iarcl.
said they We're being replaced rapidly
by Englishmen.
Chiefs Of the various army bureaus
gave detailed accounts ot the require
ments CT their departments for the
coming year.
Simultaneously with his appearance
before the military committee Secre-
tary Baker sent to congress requests
for s64,S55.0G0 additioGa! appropria-
tons for the next fiscal yc-r Iie
asl.ei 5 G.33775 geo fer tho payment Of
the $50 bonus given men wfen dis
charged from the service and ST.;
g15GOO for 3rIripc and training the,
National Guard. incidental! expenses
would require the reminder. he said.