The Butler Weekly Times Newspaper, January 31, 1918, Page 2

BAKER TELLS PREPARATIONS Wonderful Progress Made. Efficient. ish the war for us.’ Secretary Baker's statement fol- lows: . “Now, gentlemen, about the plan of “war. It will be remembered that this war broke out in August, 1914. We went into it in April, 1917, so that for two and one-half years, or more than two and one-half years, ‘th been going on. ‘ “It was not for us to decide where our theater of war should be. The theater of war was France. It was not for us to decide our fine of com- munications. Our line o: communi- cations was across 3,000. miles .,of ocean, one end of it infested with sub- marines. : “Tt is easily imagined that we might have perfected an army over here and carried across the ocean and- found it wholly unadapted to its task and it might well have been thot the army that we sent over was just one thing that they did not need, anv, that some other thing which we might have sup- plied would have been the thing es- sential to their success. “So that from the very beginning it was not a question of abstract specu- lation here, but a question of study there to find out where vur shoulder to the wheel could be put. Coming of Foreign Missions. “They realized that. And so Great Britain sent over to us Mr. Balfour and General Bridges and a staff of experts. “Then came Joffre, with his won- derful reputation and his great _and charming personality, and he made a great figure here and we welcomed him. It was a tremendous inspira- tion to see the hero of the Marne; but with him came this unobserved staff of fifteen or twenty or twenty- five young men, the most brilliant mechanical experts, experts in arms, experts in supplies, experts in indus- try and manufacture, and they told us not merely the formal and military problems, but they brought over with them men who were in from the be- ginning, in their reorganizations of their industries, in their mobilization of their industrial plants, and we sat down with them in little groups until finally we collated, and collected and extracted all the information which they could give us from their respect- ive countrie. And every country, | Which hes been brought in the war sent us that sort ot « ff of experts, and it has been necessary to compare notes, and with this as a basis, to! form such an idea might be formed of what was the g for us to do over there, “The one thing they told us from the very beginning to the end was that this war, of all others, was not a static thing; that our adversary was a versatile and agile adversary; that ev- ery day he revamped and changed his weapons of attack and his methods of defense, A 1 “ € Pershing Acts as U. S.’s Eyes. “Therefore, it became necessary for} t us to have eyes there in instant and) immediate communication with us, and we sent over to: Prance General Pershing, and we sent with him not merely a division of troops—to that I] Shall refer in a momeni—but we sent with him, perhaps | can say safely, the major part af the traiued, expert personnel of the army. “General Pershing's staff of exper: and officers over there runs into the thousands, and they ary busy every fninute and every day that the sun; IT get cablegrams from General to sixteen and , tilled with meas- ulas and changes of} at, long spe p t | | rises. Pershing from ten twenty pages urements and ic a millimeter in size, cifications of changes in details of! things, which we agreed upon Tesi week and changed this week, and need to be changed again next week, that what we are doing at this end is} ‘attempting by using the eyes of the) army there to keep up to what they | want us to do. “In the meantime, when we started into this war, I think it was commen |€ ly thought throwghout the country j¢ that our contribution at the outset might well be financial and industrial The appropriate industries and many converted industries were largely de- & sé c he war had concerned, and letting the allies do the fighting. “What he says we should have done, and I ask your particular at- tention to it, is this: “ ‘We should have strained every energy to have gotten from 50,000 to 100,000 men to France this year.’ “That is the year 1917. 1 tell no secret, but it is perfectly weH known to everybody in thie group that we have far exceeded what in August, 1917, was regarded as.a programme so I deem that the editor of this mag- azine refers to it as a thing which we ought to have strained every nerve in desire to hold off until the allies fin- poate Seek? “You see, the editor was dealing Work of War Department Highly| with what he supposed to be the in- tention of the war department at that as actual military operations were yards as they did in this country, which you already know. This war had a more or less set character until the Russian situation changed, and it I call your attention to a thing so, the country got an from the failures and delays tha made them “disproportionate to wh™ was going on.” He said there migh senator’s purpose to make it appear impression t it t The Hot Sprii 5 Ww months. When we had got more or less used to the situation created by the uncer- tainty as to Russia, there came the great Italian defeat, which called for even greater changes in our plans, in many ways. “So that what might havee been a perfectly acceptable plan as to major operations prior to the change in the Russian’ situation or prior to the change in the Italian situation, had to be restudied instantly, and for ‘that reason, among others, there is now organized, as you know in France, pursuant to the suggestion of Mr. Lloyd George, the Rapello confer- ence, or the supreme war council and @ “instances of shortcomings, bw only instances.” The secretary said that ator Chamberlain concerning the details, “[ want to follow through to the very end.” those said he order to punish the guilty ” Percentage of Illness Slight. Although more than 1,000,000 men Baker said, the number of complaints when he heard of the two letters read by gris the treatment of sick soldiers he immed- iately asked Mr. Chamberlain for all cases “and find out who is responsible, in are under arms in this country, Mr. 2 ench-army=strategistr, pty advised as—to—everytiing we Raising and Training of Great Army | to yet over to us a fighting army but f . fae you are a great industrial country,/ there will be all the criticism there Qur man power is fully engaged in | was not contemplated at the outset, | Bestion for improvement that can and only a phrase in the emergency | Some. froin the outside, military legislation shows that the}+, “When the victory is won over yet in a very short time we had or- | Will come to American enterprise and ganized n : | railroad men and sent them over there |‘American courage will be an honor and were rebuilding behind the. lines roads which were being carried tor- ng their broken engines and reximents were of such quality that at the Cambrai assault, carried on by made their counter attack our engin- to the battle and distinguished then- tors.’ sands of men in ip mercy upon which the first a vain but hopeless effort to accom- plish.” In response to a question by Chair- man Chamberlain, the secretary said the United States did not have more than the mtnimum number of men in France in August 1917. He contin- ued; “And then the editor goes on: “ ‘And by next year, 1918, We could |’ have had 500, men to send over or any part of 500,000 men which we could ship.’ the United States is represented on that bythe chief of staff of the Amer- ican army and the major international arrangements in regard to the mili- tary are worked out there, while Gen- eral Pershing and his staff of experts are working out those other ques- tions, Lauds Raising of Army, “And now let me be frank with you and let your judgment be frank with me about this. Has any army in his- tory ever, since the beginning of time, been so raised and cared for as tl army has? Can the picture be dupli cated? We have raised this army, taking the regular army and the na- tional guard, raising it to war strength and supplementing it by the operation of a draft, and there are senators in this room who said to me with grief when we proposed that form of raising the soldiers, ‘Mr. Sec- retary, it can’t be done. It is too {sudden to address to the American people that mode of selecting sol-| ; eat) idiers.’ And yet, has any great enter- berlain, | that there has been any | prise within the knowledge of any time within the last year that thei man in this room ever been carried Many Americans in France. “Now, instead of having 50,000 or 100,000 men in France in 1917, we have many more men that that in France, and instead of having 500,000 men whom we could ship to France if we could find any way to.do it in 1918, we will have more than 500,000 in France early in 1918, and we have} available, if the transportation facili- ties are available to us, and the pros- pect is not unpromising 1,500,000 who in 1918 can be shipped to France.” “Do you think, for a moment, Sec- retary Baker,” asked Chairman Cham- received have been relatively small, probably not more than e:ghteen. In each instance, he said, investigations have been made immediately. Mr. Baker told of investigations which resulted in the discharge Lieutenant Charles W. Cole and Lien- tenant John G. Dye, for neglect of patients, as published in the news- papers on Saturday and Sunday. The judge advocate general advised add- ing a prison sentence to the dismissal and that is being considered. “The department. sets its face against that sort of callous disregard of soldiers’ health,” Secretary Baker said. “I want doctors and the coun- try to know that their lives and wel- fare are a responsibility which I will not permit to be dodged or handled in a cavalier fashion.” While camp commanders are held responsible for health conditions, Seeretary Baker said, the surgeon- general’s office has daily inspections and he has appointed Dr. John A. Hornsby, a hospital expert, as his per- sonal inspector, A telegram from Dr. Hornsby regarding camp conditiors Senator Chamberlain assailed, dis- closed them “greatly improved” with German sgcret service has not been! out with more unfailing justice, with ;more intelligent explanation — and-| {commendation to the good sense of | | patriotism of the American people, | have done?” “Yes, senator, I know. If I may re- ly upon confidential information| ang pas any great and revolutionary | which we get from coniidential! change in our mode of Practice ever sources, the German government 18 {been accepted so splendidly as the) still mystified as to the number Of! operation of the selective service ; system? a | “We have got those young men in | jcamp and they are surrounded from {the day they left home until the day ithey come back to it, if in God's prov- lidence they can come back, with more xencies for their protection and com- jfort and health and happiness, physi- cal and mental, than any army that jever went out on a field. ; “Insofar as I am personally con: i cerned, I know what is ahead of us. J | men we have in France or have had there at any time, “Why did we decide to send some troops to France in 1917? It is no t. When Marshal Joffre and the tish mission came to this country, y told us of a situation which we not up to that time fully appre- ed. Credit to U, S: Progressiveness. “arly in this war, when Joffre was|Know what the American feeling sere and when Balfour was here, they | @bout this war ‘is. Lverybody is im- patient to do as much as we can. aid to us ‘It may take you some time There will be no division of council; ought to be upon shortcomings and ures, there will be so far as the war department is concerned, a con- tinuing effort at scif-improvement, and a hospitality toward every sug- xir industries and in our military en-| erprises, send over artisans, special | sngineering regiments, and troops of 2 technical character,’ and although it} i 1 I ling was thought of as a possibility, |there, Mr. Chairman, the credit which enginegring regiments of | t® American determination and to to us, as the tenacity of purpose and splendid achievements of the British and French already shed great Inster on the names of great people.” the British and French tie rail- Fi aid with their advance, reconstruct cars, ding new railroads, both back of he French and British lines. Those Baker ‘Frenkly Admits Errors in Handling Army; Striving to Correct Them. t At the outset the secretary said he thought much criticism came from isa- patience of the American people “to do this great thing greatly ” lie conceded freely that in so great an enterprise it was impossible tnat there should not be “delays and short- comings.” The confidence of the country, however, he said, was ‘neces-. sary to the tremendous efforts. The mistakes cited in’ Senator Chamberlain's speech, Secretary Baker declared, gave a disproportion- ate aspect. Without intent, he said, the effect of the senator's speech was to give the country the impression that the deficiencies “were character- istic rather than occasional.” He said he was not there to defend individ- uals, or deny delays or false starts. “But I think I can say in confidence that in them we have sought the rem- seneral Byng, when the Germans c cr regiments threw down their picks nd spades and carried their rifles in- ! elyes by gallant action in the war it- elf, “Very early in this war Great itain, through Balfour and his as- stants, and Vrance through Jofire, sid to us, ‘send us nurses and doc- Why, before we were scarcely 1 the war, American units were or- anized in advance by the Red Cross, nd taken into the service of the Unit- d States through the-surgeon gen- ral’s office. There are tens of tho:- England and_ in. rance now who bless the mission of Ameri- t t voted to the manufacture of war ma- terials for our allies. “At the outset the idea was that we would be a financial and industrial as- sistance to our allies during the year 1918 and I think I probably can read from the Metropolitan Magazine for August a suggestion. which will show what the current exportation of the country was. The editor of the Met- ropolitan magazine was protesting against what he believed to be the in- tention of the government at e b a Here Senator Weeks interrupted to | surroundi: tals immediately ~behind i ae They have been made military in ev- if that is a fact. The country is*en- losses in this war, the loss of ‘Red f sch Cross nurses: and doctors and order-| uty to the officers and the civilians lies and attendants in hnspitals and|that are laboring with devotion, beats ambulance drivers who were sent over|"ifice and zeal, and are spending that! to assist our allies in these necessary | !¢cPless nights to bring this army up services, this not only rendering as- to its greatest efficiency and success.” knowledge of the circumstances and ans appeared in France. edy.” ‘ Hospitals Behind the Lines, “There are several reasons why 1 “Our surgeons have set up hospi- shou!ld ask the committe to hear me. the lines. | "irst. the country is entitled to know ry sense of the word. They have not titled .to know what this war is and cen especially fortunate in: escaping | What the _probiems are and how we}, t ttack fi the air h are to meet them. eed) ai ene. we BAO coely “Second, I have a deep- scnse of istance, but acquiring skill and “Fall Down” Would be Tragic: ceiving better care than they could afford at home.” American Rifle in Use Best Military | adopt the so-called rechambered En- field rifle was reached late one night Scott, chief of staff; General Bliss, as- sistant chief; General Crozier, chief of ordnance, and General. Kuhn, then other staff officers, “experts in rifles.” It was late in May or early in June. any countr, ¢ necessity of calling out a large army. | @bly, as well, as nutritiously and as Secretary Baker said there were not |#Ppetizingly as this ficer present, and added: diate order was given to the Sa _ |Arms, Company. for Lewis ry, | Large o modations for all sick.” Defended by Mrs. Rinehart. Secretary Taker read a letter from Mrs, Mary Roberts Rinehart, the; writer, who has a son in the service, | commending hospital conditions she} recently inspected. Mrs. Rinehart said she was impressed by Senator Chamberlain's “tragic letters.” “But I feel the mothers of the coun- try shotld know,” wrote Mrs, Rine- bart, “that the number of such cases ! is small. It is cruel to allow every mother to judge the medical corps because here and there men are un- willing or unable to give the care that is their duty. There are conditions to! be remedied. The shortage of women | nurses is serious.’ But of cruelty andj indifference 1 have found nothing. | Ninety-nine out of roo boys are re-} Weapon in Any Country, Says Baker Secretary Baker said the decision to} in his office at a conference attended by General Pershing, who was pre-} paring to go to France; General head of the war college, and several of | Arkansas. ORE tham a mountain resort, more than a fashionable playground—these wonderful springs, with their myeter- ious health-giving waters, have become world famous as Nature’s Greatest Sanitarium Set apart by the United States Government for the benefit of humanity. : Where modern medical science joins hands with the wonderful curative agencies of nature—a retreat for the careworn or suf- fering in the great, beautiful out-of-doors. eae Water is the Greatest Eliminator of Hum- an Ills and the Hot Springs of Ar- kansas are the Greatest Waters Known to Mankind Patronized every year by more than 150,000 people from every part of the world—the recuperating station of our army and navy, the training ground of the world’s greatest athletes, the assembling place of statesmen and the rendezvous of society. There is no Substitute for the Hot Springs Bath The marvelaus cures cannot be exaggerated. No one can afford to deprive iatelt of the quiet rest, the exhiliarating joy, and the wonderful toning-up that comes from a course of these baths, coupled with the rehabilitating influences of the moun- tain ozone and woodland landscape. . Luxurious hotels, medium-priced hotels and high-class board- ing. houses with every modern convenience. The Way There is Via The Missouri Pacific “THE PLEASANT WAY TO PLEASANT PLACES” We haven't space to tell you all about this wonderful resort which has an international reputation. a ‘ Send for a copy of our handsomely illustrated book, written byWilliam Marion Reedy. MISSOURI PACIFIC C. L. PLAIN, Agent Butler, Mo. 1-31 2-21 3-14-21-28 . wished to adopt the quickest solution to get the largest supply in the short- est possible time. At that time, al- though we were sending troops to France, it was not in any large num- pers—-a matter somewhat for the re- mote future.” Charfottt News. Weather still cold and snowing Mr- Haden had a wreck with his car last Friday. south of Virginia. It skidded and ran into a telephone pol:. Harry Henderson has just returned from a trip to Galena, Kas., and the | oil fields. He thinks old Missouri a | great state when he looks at the great |minés and minerals she has. Clothing Complain Up. tor Sutherland said a negro cher had told him that his'son a Camp Meade, Md., had been saostted Dan Orear has purchased a 42 with cast-off clothing of white sol. 2cF¢ farm from Warren Ayers, where diers and no woolen underclothing., | ne intends to make his home, He will Sceretary Baker said he would inves- | iv¢ om the Jensen farm where he i+ tigate, but declared there was no dis- | "0W, the present year, 2 : crimination in the treatment of w hite | It is reported that John Foster, 51, and negro troops. j has Purchased the Wheeler farm, Secretary Baker said the ided had | S°Uth of Virginia, sot abroad that the American army | Mrs. Carrie Henderson was uniform is part shoddy. He declared |5@* With a congestive chill last it is all wool and that shoddy is put | Tuesday night, She is better at this only in overcoats and blankets, WEUAG: ny © Grape, of Butler, 1s “When we went into * he | Staying with her. said, “the standard of Pi betie ae John Hoagland died at Kansas City very . The American Springfield rifle, Sec- retary Baker said, “was admittedly | 49d now every yard is of virgin woul, he best military rifle developed by when this decision wh reached, There were in stock 690,0c0| “ation,” Sceretary Baker pro-cede |, of them. , After America entered the war, Mr, Wool Saker said, Major General ame to his office and advocated the he clothes or arms, but General Wood replied he knew that, but con- things, IT think «it is the unanimous tended the men needed to live to-|t¢stimony that the food has been ot gether ‘for : He told General Wood he agreed tion of defect in its quantity or prep- that the army should be assembled as | 4tatio rapidly as possible, but it was the in- | PToPo: tention to build up the regular army|the most extraordinary success.” and the national guard first and th “preliminary training.” en he national army, Takes Up Lewis Gun Charge. Turning to thé machine gun ques- tion, Mr. Baker said that up to last}had recommende April the Lewis gun had not been|and that the Satisfactorily tested with Améerican|been notified ammunition, although widely used by | were made. England. The French, he said, never] Zachary Tay! = the Lewis gun in any large num-| there a question, er. “The board,” he added, referring to| approved it. he board he appointed in the fall of 1916, to test machine guns, “never de-|monia epidemic did not result from layed for one second the procurement | inadequate hospital facilities. of additional machine guis:” He told of the navy’s test of the -ewis gun last April with an army of- “As-a result of that test, an imme- guns. given. W advised, a’ permanent character would be need- wage |ed at na whi rders for Lewis guns have} moved. form was 75 per cent wool and 25 per Wednesday at 4 Be, from EMD cent cotton, But that was chang:d and pneumonia. “His body ae brought back Friday. Funeral was preached at the Christian church at Virginia Saturday by Mr. Maxey, v1 j Butler. He was buried: at Butler. ; Irwin Ingles, of Lafayette, Il, came Friday on a business trip and ted over night with his nephew, tiarry Henderson, and brother-in jlaw, Grant Garner. He left by way of | Butler and ‘visited his brother-in-law, P. M. Famutiner and family. He ha» ;one son in a training camp at Des | Moines, La. and another expecting to |go-any time. * Weare glad to hear some of our and that generally the food | £oldier boys are reading our reports tion has been carried out with | from Charlotte and enjoying them. | Lets of people are trying to rent farms. z S Mrs. Joan Garner spent Friday , With Mrs. Rhoda Ga I | Sunday school at very instance the! and every Sunday. medical officials,! Fred Garner returned-from a trip to d the selected sites | Camp Funston, Kan 3 Surgeon general had| Miss McCall is ver when final selections! monia fever. ‘ In only one case—Camp Preaching at Christian church at lor at Louisville—was Virginia next Sunday. and Surgeon General ——: ‘Spert sanitarian, who with a large increase in its Strength,’ “I want to make one further 0: ser- taking up army food. “I think it és not unfair for me to say that in the provision of food, no army ever as- sembled anywhere has ever fed as tmy; while there have been compiaints about oiher the highest quality, with no sugges- Camp Sanitation Studied. Speaking of cantonment sites, Mr, Baker said that in-e boards, including irginia Sunday very sick with p: meu- . Gorgas sent an e. Senator Weeks asked’ if the pneu- “I don't think so,” said the seere- ry. 5 Secretary Baker said it was not thought at first that base hospitals of ta guard ich t