Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-15

turning % the United states with fresh
enthusiasm 10 speed the transportation
Of the remainder Of the great Army Of
which you are the VANGUARD What I
have seen here gives the comfortable
assurance that plans for the effective
ness of our fighting forces and for the
comfort and. welfare Of the men have
been broadly made and vigorously exc
cuted. Our schools and systems of in
struction are adding to the general sol
der training the specialized knowledge
which developed among our French and
British associates during the four years
Of heroic action which they have dis
played from the beginning of the war
Fortunately. the relations between
our soldiers and those of the British
and French are uniformly cordial and
happy, and the welcome of the civil
population of France has been met by
our soldiers with chivalrous apprecia-
ton and return.
I'VE are building up a great army to
vindicate great cause and the spirit
which you are showing, the courage, the
reSourcefulneSs and the zeal for the
performance of duty, both as soldiers
and as men, is not only promising of
success, but 1t is worthy of the tradi-
tionS OF America and of the allied
armies with which We are associated.
Press onr'
Feared British Tagging.
Before Mr.. Baker sailed for home,
fearing that would not have further
opportunity Of seeing him, had sent
him the letter quoted below, and al
though we later discussed its contents
briefly, 1t is given as showing the reac-
ton OF at least part Of the British press
at the time:
"Anril < 1ola
Dear Mr.. Secretary: noticed the
other day that one of the British
papers, In referring to the fact that
plans had been made TO send Ameri-
can troops to the assistance of the al
lies. stated that this would relieve the
British of the necessity Of depicting the
strength OF the forces kept at home for
defensive purposes.
This suggests t. my mind Q certain
political phase of the British situation
which may give us additional explana-
ton as to why Mr.. Lloyd George and
British representatives are so urgent in
their appeals for assistance from Amer
lea. The train of thought leads me to
conceive the existence of q condition
that may be fraught with danger to
the cause, in that 1t indicates a serious
lack of cooperation between the civil
and military authorities of Great Brit
ain, as was also indicated to you in
some Of the things ! repeated to you
yesterday.
Following this further, may I sug-
geSt that you give the matter serious
thought. There Is 90 very much at
stake for us that 1t seems to me very
frank representations should be made
to the British government as to the
urgency Of their putting into the army
every possible man that can be mus
tn ha Ifaka
gency. 1t need not be pointed out that
there Is limit to the rapidity with
which our troops can be brought over,
and there seems to me to be q very real
danger Of the British political world al
lowing itself to be lulled into inaction
upon the theory that the Americans
are in position to meet all possible
contingencies that may arrive.
Every Man Needed.
ut may be that you would think it
advisable to go to London, or else to
intimate TO the President by cable the
urgency Of Great Britain's putting into
the ranks every possible man TO with
stand the present German onslaught,
even II they have TO promise to with
draw them in six months, and Of their
doing so without waiting on us or count
ing on US in the slightest degree. There
will be few enough men even with the
best We all can do. II will be time
enough for Great Britain to consider the
defense OF England after she has put
forth every possible energy en- the con-
tinent. Here Is the place to beat Ger
many, and not on British soil. In writ
ing this ] have in mind what you told
me regarding available men IN England.
Il give you the following from Gen.
Sir William Robertson In a letter 70
me dated January IT.
The British government has
given the most anxious consideration to
the question Of the maintenance of the
armies In the field during 1918 and, by
making every effort, there win become
available for service at the front 449,-
coo men now under training, plus l00,-
GOO men TO be called up. In addition,
there will be called up 100000 men Of
lower category who are not ut for the
flrst line, plus 10000 lads of 10 years
Of age. who will not be available for
service at the front tin 1919. Please
keep these figures strictly secret
1T may be that some OF these have
already been called out, but I am in
formed that large numbers Of men are
held for home defense"
Tomorrow-Allies finally awaken 10
need of providing u 8. with shipping;
Pershing wants personally to lead troops
to battle.
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Esproauetton in whole or In part pro-
Street cars discarded in Chatham,
England, owing to increased auto traf-
nc In the streets, are being sold for as
little IS $2S for use rs bungalows, sports
pavilions and chicken houses.