Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-30
WILSON ADVANCED
CZECHS $1,000, zoe OR MORE

" d1it-4iS Ltil. -s-IsilE idIiO
bill for transportation of million,
A rnHr'can soldiers across the Allan
tlc en- British ships IS approximately
SS@.0"c.nh This. and the fact tina:
President Wilson advanced s. d(n. 96t-
Of ans special Hunu-and probably
Ynore-to the Czecho- Siuvaks, were
The two chief developments or To 1ay's
hearing Of Secretary Baker Gen.
March and other war department Of
ticials before he House military
committees
The army appropriation hill which
failed a: Ine last Congress was un-
Ger discussion.
The President assisted -wo Of the
C-eche- Slovak corps" said Gen.
March. from money AT his disposal
% the extent Of Ave million dollars
and ! tank re has given them alIot-
inents since. SO thai the Czecho-Sio-
VANS could set arms. The charge
was - be ultimately against the
C=echo-Slovak country which the Al
lies proposed ~ organize IN Central
Europe. Il is Z regular debt like any
other debt between natons"
frst Information Congress had had
of advancing money TO the C0echs
from The Presidents fund.
The British OIL for transporting
American troops caused qUite a lit
tie discussion. Brigadier L1eueina
Hines. director general Of Transport
tation. said Great Britain originally
asked for $50 for Transporting each
soldier 10 France but the cost was
finally reduced TO ss175. Thirty-fve
million dollars already has neen paid
Congressman asked If the general dad
not think The charge excessive but
he replied he believed the cost of
Transporting c;oCps N American
ships would tur1 out to be higher.
Secretary Baker renewed his rp-
ommendatlon that provision be made
for the maintenance Of an army Of
$50. pCo men during the next year. He
said II would be impossible al this
r.I2e To determine accurately what
The average nuiber of men would be
for The year and that II would he
unsafe 20 provide for less than would
re needed.
The secretary requested that Con-
gress take up the problem of what
should De done with war projects
uacompleted when the ar-nistice was
signed. The department was reluc-
ta1-. he said. 10 use money appro-
priated for war emergencies for
completing the projects anu believed
il wise that Congress should be oun-
suited
General March. reviewing progress
n demo uilization. SAID facilities had
now been provided for the return Of
800. DOB men a month, and that If tho
Peace Treaty were rarlfed and an
army Of occupation found unneeded.
every soldier in Europe could be re- =.
turned by September :. The gen
eral said demobiliza ton n army
camps IN this country also was pro-
pressing rapidly and that civilians
were being employed 70 take the
places Of soldiers a. d marked SAY
ing To the government.
Questioned regarding the reason
for retaining drafted American SOL
diers n Russia and Siberia Gen.
March said they were being replaced
rapidly by enlisted men
chefs Of the various army bu-
reaus gave detailed accounts Of the
requirements of their departments
for the coming vea-.
simultaneously with his appear
lnce before The military committee.
Secretary Baker sent 10 Congress
requests tnr S64 .6oa.oa6 additional
for the next fiscal
veHr He asked Sac. 3115.3(0 for the
payment Of the SEQ bonus given men
when discharged from service and
s. ,94S 900 for arrulng and training
The Nationa! Guard. Incidental ex-
penses would require the remainder
ne SAID