Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-03-01
NO ANSWER TO
QUESTION WHO
WON WAR-BAKER
Many Nations Bent Energies
and Americas Part One
of Prominence.
ARMY IS GIVEN PRAISE

! WASHINGTON, March Newton D.
Baker, who as Secretary Of War during
the recent world conflict, commanded the
greatest army ever raised in America,
believes theer is no answer to the much
mooted question, who won the war;"
Speaking on that subject today in an
interview which covered many phases of
his work as head of the War Department.
the Secretary said:
at is perfectly idle to talke about
who won the war. Many nations bent
their united efforts to accomplish 1t, but
Americas effort is one in which all
Americans can take pride"
| The entrance OF America into the war,
the Secretary said, stimulated the morale
of our allies who were worn and weary
with years Of continuous lighting; it
sustained the financial situation and the
ideals of America were powerful in
breakin the morale of the enemy.
ARMY FOUGHT WITH
BRILLIANT SUCCESS.
/ In addition to this" he continued,
"ths actual military operations conducted
/ by the American Army were on a scale
far beyond the worst fears Of our enc
mics and far above the highest hopes Of
our friends, and in the final battles from
/ July, 1918, to the end, the American Army
fought its way with brilliant success and
contributed equally with the other armies
/ to the military victory"
/ Although Secretary Baker had never
/ advocated a huge standing army in peace
times, the experiences Of the war have
convinced him in the falacy Of the i'm
5 MI IN, he a
America can spring into power over
night He has great faith in the cour-
age, efficiency and natural aptitude for
military training of the average young
American, but he believes there must be
nucleus Of highly trained professional
! soldiers Of sufficient numerical strength
/ to hold the country until an adequate
! force can be assembled.
/ TOO SMALL TOR
I EFFICIENT TRAINING.
/ The Army as fixed by Congress is
/ somewhat too small for the mosr efficient
/ training the secretary asserted He
agrees with Secretary Daniels that the
! Navy must be at Its best when war be-
gins, but makes no such claim for the
Army. He merely insists that it must
( be good enough and strong enough to
! hold an enemy iE allegiance and be suf3-
I Client in size and development to grow
rapidly and effectively. As for materials,
there should be Al adequate reserve in
/ preparation TO time required for their
creation"
+ AIRPIANE
IMPORTANT.
what part viii the airplane play in
the next war" Baker was asked.
"A tremendously important part" he
declared Its use ought to be developed
, I'm harmony with the use Of other weapons
and military aeronautics ought to be a
/ part Of the army and not a separate
/ agency"
] The Secretary stated he did not be
/ lieve the airplaue would displace the
/ present principal weapons Of either the
army or the nevy.
/ . Replying 10 q question as to whether
I the general stan sould continue in its
I present form, Mr. Baker said
( The general STAFF. as now organized,
is the best form Of any administration
we have yet had"
( Secretary Baker paid a high tribute to
the work Of reserve officers In the war.
lie gave wull credit to Mai. Gen. Leonard
Wood as the originator Of the Plattsburg
idea.
The reserve officers training camp
idea is a most excellent one and should
not be abandoned" he said.
The young men Of America who were
trained at Plsttsburg and in similar
camps played an enormously important
part Ia the war. The idea came from
i General Wood. II was q most construc-
tive, forward looking suggestion" Copy
right, 1921, by International News Service.