About Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 1918)
Oe Mhmta Smintal VOLUME XX. 1,000,000 READY FOR FRANCE, BAKER MORE RIOTS REPORTED IN GERMANY DEMOWITIONS IN MONITIONS DISTRICT IND PRAGUEJEPORTED Store Fronts Are Looted by Mob of 3,000 and Police Have Trouble Suppressing- Violence of People LONDON. Jan. 28. —The steamship Cork has be?n torpedoed. Seven passen gers and flve members of the crew were lost. LONDON, Jan. 28.—Reports of dis turbances in Germany again are cur rent in Holland and severe outbreaks are said to*have occurred in the Rheinisch industrial districts Troops with ma chine guns have been summoned to Mdl heim. on the Rhine opposite Cologne, but there are no details. 3.000 in Riot in Prague Plunder Shop Windows ZURICH. Jan. -B.—Three thousand persons took part in a riot in a suburb of Prague on Friday against reduction • o< the flour ration, a Vienna dispatcn says. Shop windows were smashed and the mob had begun to plunder the stocks when the police interfered. The rioters weer dispersed with difficulty. Revolt Is of Workers In Munitions District NEW YORK. Jan. 28. —Reports of dis turbances among the German workmen in the Rhenish industrial districts are very significant of the increasingly seri ous labor situation within the central empires. The Rhenish province is the seat of Germany'i iron and steel industries. It is where the principal munitiohs for the German army are manufactured The workingmen at these plants have been treated with unusual consideration by th* German government during the war. Not onld have their wages hieen raised, filit* speWal food concessions have been given them and every effort has been ' made to keep their efficiency to the' highest level Disturbances among these men are second in importance only to outbreaks among the soldiers themselves. A gen eral strike in the Rhenish industries would result in an immediate stoppage of guns and ammunition for the kais er's armies. The only reasons for such disturbances would be an inability on the part of the government, because of food shortage, to continue giving the munitions workers preferential treat ment and the development of a despair- ' ing spirit of war weariness, coupled 1 with resentment against the militarists' manner of conducting peace negotia t.ons. The Rhenish workingmen are largely Socialistic and it is natural to assume they have been greatly influenced by the denunciations of Count von Hert-I ling’s imperialistic policy uttered by | Socialist leaders of the reichstag. The only influence Herr Scheidemann. Dr. , Ebert and other leaders can exert on the government is through the response ierminy s Socialist workingmen .o • these criticisms. If the government, feared no response, it is a safe assump tion that the Socialist critics of .he' kaiser's peace spokesmen would now be in jail. Only last week, however, a I Berlin newspaper was suspended for I suggesting that the Socialist leaders b* subjected to court-martial proceed-] ings. This unprecedented consideration I for she feelings of the Socialists must, b“ due to uneasiness in governmental i circles as to what the Socialists might • ’ do next. The disturbances among the Rhenish workinjflnen may be the an- German Papers Denounce Czemin for His Message NEW YORK. Jan 28.—(Summary jf European Cables.,—Count Czernln's * speech on American war aims and the statement that it was sent in advance to President Wilson has aroused the pan-Germans, and their newspapers are ■ bitter in their denunciation of the Aus tro-Hungarian foreign minister. It is declared that the count’s action means a break in the Austro-German alliance, and one pan-German newspaper has I been suppressed for suggesting that I Germany abandon her foremost ally. While the workmen in Austria ip- i patently have returned ot work, reports • have been received In Holland bf dis turbances in the industrial district | along the Rhine in Germany. Few de-1 tails have been obtained but it is said | that troops* with machine guns have been sent to Muelheim. 8* manufacturing town on the Rhine opposite Cologne. Meanwhile pan-German attacks on the >ading politicians, and even including she emperor, continue, and have sprexl to criticism of Count von Roedern. .he i imperial treasurer, who is said to hhve | sold the emperor that Germany is not financial condition for offensive op-1 • rations. Dr. von Kuehlmann. the for - minister, has defended his course in the Russian parleys by assailing the! Bolshevik government and Its purposes His efforts, however, failed to check socialist attacks on <he government's peace atitude toward Russia. Activity on the western and Italian f-onts is connned to small raids and in termittent artillery bombardments. Revolution in Finland Is Proceeding in East STOCKHOLM. Jan. 28.—The long threatened revolution tn Finland in pro ceeding In the eastern provinces, ac cording to sparse reports reaching Hap e randa. and forwarded here. ■ Czemin Message Has Not Reached Washington WASHINGTON. Jan. 28. —If Count j • 'zerntn. Austrian foreign minister, sent in advance to President Wilson a copy of his peace reply, as reported from London, it had-not reached here today. Full Associated Press Service GEN. WOOD SLIGHTLV WOUNDED Bf SHELL : Major Joyce and Colonel Kil bourne Also Hurt at Ob servation Post WASHINGTON. Jan. 28.—That a I fresh anouncement of American partici pation in actual battling will be forth coming soon was the belief of many ;here today. This thought was strengthened by the fact that several infantrymen the past week have been reported killed or wounded "in action.” while Major Gen eral Leonard Wood has been hurt by an accidental explosion in France. News of the wounding of General Wood, former chief of staff, but now commander of Camp Funston. Kan., was included in a dispatch from American heddouarters telling that two cf hrs staff. Lieutenant Colonel Kilbourne and Major Joyce has been wounded and flve French soldiers had been killed. Another dispatch from General Pershing related that five infantrymen had been in action. Where or how either of these Inci dents occurred was unrevealed. General Wood, like other general of ficers. has been having a chance to see the American training at close range in France but the accident may have occurred at a point on the allied bat tle line. The casualties of the past week in dicate that a portion of the American forces may be finishing their training by having front line experiences. Persh ing has not illuminated his caualty re ports but it is likely that the cases re sulted from patrol clashes or small trench raids. Secretary Baker announced the acci dent in this statement: “A cable dispatch from the head quarters of General Pershing that an accidental explosion occurring today killed five French soldiers and slightly injured Major General Wood in the arm, Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Kilbourne, in the eye and Major Kenyon A. Joyce in the arm.” It is understood the message was brief and gave no further details. Gen eral Wood’s tour would carry him»both to the front and to the American train ing camps behind the lines, bfit there is no indication as to where the acci dent occurred. All the divisional commanders have been or will be sent to Europe for brief periods. General Wood, commanding Camp Funston, Kas., went over several weeks ago. Gen. Wood Universally Beloved in Southeast General apprehension was felt throughout the southeast, especially in army circles, over the dispatch from France telling of the injury to Major General Leonard A. Wood, and there was no small relief felt at the announce ment that his wound is not serious. Few* army officers are better known or more universally admired in this ter ritory, particularly in Atlanta, than is General Wood. In fact, Atlantians look upon him almost as a “native son,” since his college days were spent at Georgia Tech, where he was the “father of football.” organizing the first Tech team and participating in the first Tech-1 Georgia game. Shortly after the entry of the United States into the war. General Wood was apjiointed commander of the southeast ern department with headquarters in Charleston. In this capacity he was a frequent visitor to Atlanta. One of the most momentous days in the history of 1 the city was the occasion*last May on which he delivered the address at Five Points for the municipal flag-raising attended by Atlanta's greatest crowd of all time. He has frequently been honored at banquets here, and Mrs. Wood has also j been a feted guest. His transfer to the command of Camp Funston. Kan. was greatly regretted at the time by his Atlanta friends, because of his re moval to another part of the country. , At the same time they took pride in | the hope that he would soon see active service in France. They hope sincenely that his injury will prove no greater than the meager dispatch from France states it is. Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Kil bourne, who was also injured, is also well known in Atlanta. During General Wood’s stay at Charleston, he was his chief of staff, accompanying him on several of General Wood’s frequent trips to Atlanta. He, too. has many Atlanta friends Major Joyce Is Acting Chief of Staff at Pike LITTLE ROCK. Ark., Jan. 28.—Major Kenyon A. Joyce, reported injured in J France in an accidental explosion to day, is acting chief of staff to Major General Samuel D. Sturgiss. command er of Camp Pike. The announcement today of his injury is the first official notice given of his absence from Camp pike. First War Patients, Suffering From Trench Diseases, Reach Home BALTIMORE. Jan. 28 —The first war patients to arrive tn Baltimore from France reached here last night and are at the United States general hospital. Fort McHenry. A total of sixty nign— -51 enlisted men, seven officers and two nurses—are now at the fort. The men arrived at an port on Wed nesday and were brought direot to the hospital. Although the men were with the American troops in France, not one has has been wounded. All of the cases are “trench diseases." Very few of the en listed men have been near the trenches and but two of the officers have gone “over the top" Amons the patients is Sergeant James Enright, an X-ray op erator of the Johns Hopkins unit. A number of the men have contagious diseases. Those who have tuberculosis or acute dilations of the heart ■ will be discharged from the array. SUBMARINE WAR WILL BE DIRECTED AGAINST PERSHING Secretary Baker Says Kaiser; Will Start Undersea Offen sive Against American Lines of Communication WASHINGTON. Jan. 28.—Warning that the Germans are preparing for a great submarine offensive against the American lines of communication with France, in connection with the impend ing Teutonic drive against the west front, is given by Secretary Baker in his weekly military review, made public last night by the war department. Recently there has been a marked de crease in the number of allied merchant ships sunk by submarines. The expla nation for this is found in the with drawal of subniarlhes in preparation for the coming thrust on land and sea. The review says: “As the time draws near when once again the enemy will endeavor to strike a decisive blow in the west, it must be emphasized that he will not be content with mere military operations on a large feeale. "During the past fortnight enemy submarines have been recalled to home ports to be refitted, and the most pow erful submarine offensive hitherto un dertaken may be expected to be launch ed against our lines of communication with France, to interrupt the steady flow of men and munitions for our dwn armies and food supplies for the allies. Activity in Waat "During the period under review re newed activity along the entire western front is noted. "The regiorf bordering the North sea has once again become the scene of se ' vere fighting. "A carefully co-ordinated operation undertaken by British monitors, acting in concert with land batteries in the area north of Ypres, subjected the Ger man defenses of Ostend and surround -1 ing country to a severe bombardment. "No infantry action was attempted in this sector by the British, but later in the week the Germans reacted sharp iy.-and directed a strong assault agarnst the short sector of the line in the dune area, which fringes the coast in the vicinity of Nieuport. Th|s attack. I which must be considered something I more than a simple raid, broke into the French lines and, for a brief period, the : enemy detachments were able to hold j their ground in the advanced French ! outposts. The French speedily brought j up fresh forces, drove out the enemy 1 and were able to re-establish themselves i in their former positions without diffl- - cblty. “In the Italian theater the Importance of the successful French assault in the i region of the Monte Tomba three weeks ago is proven by the retreat of the ene my in this area. Abandon Attack “Th’e enemy has abandoned an exten- j sive tract of terrain north of the Monte Tomka, extending to the Piave. T4ie Austrian lines now rest on the Monte ; Spinoncia. “It would appear that the enemy has for the time being abandoned his at- ■ tempt to break through this channel t'j the plain. “The Austrians, while still strong in ; this sector, nevertheless no longer di rectly threaten the key positions of the ! Italian line. Increasing liveliness of . enemy artillery In the Vai La.ga.rina is recorded. It is apparent that the Aus trians are carrying out their plans of shifting their center of attack further to the west. ‘The Vai Lagarina offers peculiar at traction for an invasfen of Italy. It is a classic path of invaders coming from the north. We may expect, that, should the opportunity seem favorable; the en emy may attempt an operation in this area. “Reports reach us of the increasing restiveness of the Slav population of Austria, more particularly the Czechs. "The general strike in Vienna and other upheavals throughout the mon archy are assuming serious proportions and they are no longer to be held of mere internal interest, but will inevit ably react on the general political sit uation. “In Russia peace negotiations have continued with frequent interruptions, j “Tn Palestine the British are extend- ' ing their line to the north and during a week advanced further in the neigh borhood of Durah on a frontage of ap proximately four miles. "The victory of the British over the Turkish naval forces off the Dadanelles must be mentioned as an event of es- i pecial military significance. “Obserevers coming from Constant!-1 nople very recently Informed us as long ' as Constantinop’e remained under the ■ guns of the former German cruisers . Goeben and Breslau the Turks would, necessarily continue under the domina tion of the Germans. It Is the belief of officials here that the militarist party in Germany is des perate to accomplish a great victory of some kind that the growing peace cries of the people may be overwhelmed j with cheering for the victors. As significant, it is pointed out again, that the Junker newspapers, are once I more threatening that Hindenburg and I I Ludendorff-s-the war idols of Germany | -are thinking of resigning because of . the anti-war elamor. This threat hau ■< i been successfully worked before by the Junkers —but it is being called upon | with increasing frequency to still the ! internal unrest. American Patrol Boat Is Ashore in Europe WASHINGTON. Jan. 28.—An \mer: | can patrol boat was today reported to I the navy department ashore on a rock lin European waters. The boat went ashore during a fog on January 25. There was no loss of life or injury to the crew. The vessel prob afelywin have to be abandoned. ATLANTA, GA., TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1918. AMERICAN AIRMEN TAKE PART IN DAYLIGHT RAID . British Throw German Town in Terror by Dropping Bombs at It WITH THE- AMERICAN ARMY IN L'KAXOE, Sunday, Jan. 27.—(8y the As sociated Press. > —Four American avia tors attached to a French squadron have participated in a daylight bombing raid over Germany. All returned safely. Because the weather was foggy the aviators were unable to determine just what damage was done but as they flew fairly low over the targets it is be lieved the resutls were good. After re crossing the lines the bombers were fired upon vigorously by enemy anti-aircraft guns. German Town Terrorized By Raid of Britisher LONDON. Jan. 2’B.—British airmen who raided Mannheim Thursday night caused unparalleled terror in that city, according to Geneva dispatches to the London Daily Express today, quoting several travelers from Germany. One of these, an injured German, arrived at Basle. Despite police orders, he said, terror-stricken people rushed out of doors, half clothed, and gathered in the streets. The British raiders scored a direct hit on the barracks. After the raid, the travelers declared crowds as sembled and shouted: “Down with the war; give us peace.” German Artillery Is Active on West Front LONDON, Jan. 28.—Both the Ger man artillery and German raiding par ties were active last night along the Franco-Belgian front at numerous points, according to today’s war office announcement. It reads: "Yesterday evening the enemy raided an advanced post northeast of’ Lange marck. Three of our men are missing. Southeast of Le Verguier a strong re connoitering party was dispersed by rifle fire during the night. The hostil artillery was active last night at differ ent points southwest of Cambrai and also north of Lens and In the Passchen daele sector.” —j— — ■ ■ No Charge Preferred Against Police Chief Who Killed Ferguson ANNISTON, Ala., Jan. 28.—80 b FVr guson. chief of police of Jacksonville, who shot and almost instantly killed Jack Whitmore, alleged operator of an illicit distillery in Beat <, northwest of Jacksonville, Friday morning, came to Anniston to surrender to the autorities. but no warrant was sworn out against him. Fete Whitmore, a brother of the dead man, is said to have joined in the at tack of the raiding officers, and he is In jail here. Another brother escaped. It is claimed that the men have been selling liquor to soldiers, as well as civilians, and the charge against them will be pressed. Ferguson says he killed Whitmore with a rifle after he had been fired at with a revolver from a distance of only ten feet. He says the brother in jail here also drew a revolver, but was cov ered before he could fire. Private Follows Father And Brother to Grave ABBEVILLE. Ga„ Jan. 28. —The death of Oscar Stone. Camp Wheeler private at the camp Saturday, was the third in the Stone family within the past few weeks. His funeral was held here this morning. Some time before Christmas young Stone had the measles at Camp Wheel er. One of his brothers 'went to see him there. Th? brother caught measles and returning home, gave it to the en tire family. His father and brother died of the disease, and have been buried here recently. Oscar Stone died of pneumonia THE TRUTH ABOUT BELGIUM Told by Brand Whitlock I WATCH for the first article, which will appear beginning FEBRUARY 1 9TH The Atlanta JOURNAL has secured the exclu sive right to publish THIS GREAT STORY in the, state of GEORGIA, which will reveal most vividly and accurately THE TERRIBLE BRIH'ALITy OF THE GERMANS All doubts and denials, all the allowances that we. a generous-minded people have made for seem ingly incredible reports—nwst be set aside when Brand Whitlock tells us ths terrible truth that drives home the horrible facts. You will hear of the devastation agd desola tion from an EYE-WITNESS. You will see cities and houses and Cathedrals burned and blasted. You will feel the horror of rapine, and will shrink before the nameless brutality and the murder of Edith Cavell. He KNOWS —and tells —powerfully. Faithfully—Brand Whitlock held himself stub- Tt will not be necessary for you to write a lettdr if you sign your name and address to this coupon and send to us with your remittance. The Semi-Weekly Journal. Atlanta, Ga.: Enclosed find $ for which send me The Atlanta Semi-Weekly Journal for months. l Name P. O * ’ R. F. D. No State MARKHAM HERE TO BEGIN WORK AS RAIL DIRECTOR Will Retain His Other Posi tions, but Gives Mos t of Time tp Work for Govern ment in Southeast If the government director of rail roads in the southeast goes at his new job as he does at the business of hav ing his picture taken, wheels are going to hum. during his administration. It was raining when newspaper reached the private car of C. H. Mark ham in the shadow of the Terminal sta tion Monday drearily and very, very wetly. The photographer weakened visibly; it takes a nervy man to ask a railroad president to face a graflex outdoors under conditions that would make even an ordinary citizen fear pneumonia. But Mr. Markham is not an ordinary citizen. There was no hesitation about him as he stepped briskly out of his Pullman, where he had been holding a conference, snapped the door shut and glanced quickly at the drizzle. “Raining, isn’t it? Well, we don't mind a little thing like rain, do we?’ Mr. Markham jumped down to the cinders, pulled his black derby a little closer around his iron-gray hair, and while the raindrops spattered against his eyeglasses, told the photographer to go ahead. Watching himi bunched against th( rain, one got a flying impression of a well-knit figure, hard-set.’ trim jaw keen and kindly eyes and a sense of mental and physical efficiency that wat convincing. If Mr. Markham plays goll, —and they say he does—it’s a safe bet he doesn’t run for shelter when the shower starts on No. 4; he’d rather risl a wetting and make the hole in par. No, it’s evident that it would take more than a rainstorm to stop the new director general of southeastern railroads. Mr. Markham was assigned to this division by Director General McAdoo several days ago. He has been in Wash ington for the last few days conferring with Mr. McAdoo. Sunday flight he ar rived in Atlanta-to establish his head quarters. ’ “Nothing to say yet," he told the re porters Monday. "Everything's got to develop. Right now I,m arranging for offices in Atlanta. My headquarters will be here and I expect to be here myself a good part of the time. You under stand that I remain president of the Illinois Central and continue in posi tions with other roads, but I Intend to devote most of the time to the gov ernment work. We are going right ahead making plans, but there is nothing defi nite to announce yet.” As director of railways in the south east for the government, Mr. Mark ham’s jurisdiction extends over all that part of the United States south of the Ohio and Potomac rivers and east of the Mississippi river, except the Ches apake and Ohio, Norfolk and Western and the Virginia- railways, and also those railroads in Indiafia and Illinois extending into those states from points south of the Ohio rive*. It is understood that Mr. Markham's duties are to superintend all the trans portation problems of this vast area, with a view to expediting government work as fast as possible. He will prob ably have the direct assistance of a number ‘of the leading railroad men of the country and his office in Atlanta will be a large one, employing a large force. Mr. Markham is no stranger to the south, nor to the country. He is recog nized as one of the most capable rail road heads in the country and much of his career has been wrapped up with the roads in this section. years ago, C. H. Markham was <rudging along the cross-ties in New Mexico, sweating under a blazing sun and toting in each hand a brim ming bucket of 'water for a gang of laborers on the Sante Fe road. That was his first job. Well, he fulfilled it, but the way was long and weary. He can look back to job after job and pro- bornly to the task of keeping this record—and carried it on unceasingly—until now-—he gives us this stupendous story: terrible—pitiful, magnifi cent in its infinitely vital truth—which must stir > every true American, and brings us closer to the time —when America strikes—with all her might at the Destroyer of Belgium. It will appear in installments in this paper, be ginning with the issue of February 19th. If your time has expired or you are not a subscriber now is the time to get your subscription to us so yon will not miss a single part of this great story. Our prices are more than reasonable: 75 cents for one year, ?1 for 18 months, $1.20 for two years or $1.50 for three years. Tell all you see about this great story and induce them to sub scribe. If you can raise a club of five or more subscribers and send to us at one time we will make a special club price of only 50 cents for a one year’s subscription. Raise a club for us in your community. FIRM LABOR DISTRICTS MED IN UNITED STITES Each of Four Divisions to Be In Charge of Federal Expert BY RALPH SMITH. WASHINGTON. Jan. 28.—TV> co operate effectively in the farm labor problem in the United States, which is now most acute, the department of labor, state councils of national defense, state commissioners of agriculture and local agencies concerned with supply ing needed farm labor, the secretary of agriculture has divided the country into four farm labor districts: (1) New England and the northeastern states: (2) southern states; (3) northern cen tral states, and (4) western states. Each of these divisions will be in charge of a representative of the de* partment of agriculture, to be known as a supervising farm help specialtai, who will supervise the work of those in the different states under him. These farm help specialists will co-operate di rectly with state agencies, central and local employment, agencies, of the United States department of labor, and with county agents and conrmuntty farm help committees, which will be tn charge directly with meeting labor needs in their respective localities. The farm labor specialists, through preliminary labor surveys, will endeav or to ascertain in advance the pros pective needs for extra labor in each community. They will work with state and local agencies to supply labor de ficiencies from local supplies if pos sible. or from the nearest point where labor can be secured outside the com munity in need of assistance. All local sources of labor will be first drawn upon ana only when the fullest posi ble utilization of local labor proves inadequate will labor be brought from outside. In cases of necessity, how ever, through the department of agri culture and the department of labor,- arrangements will be made for inter state movement of help, in which the department of labor will co-operate in obtaining extra labor for farm pur- from the most populous commu nities. It is pointed out that the farmy in need of labor should proceed as fol lows: He should report his need to hli county agent or to a member of the community farm help committee. If pos sible, his needs will be supplied from lists of men available In the county. If local labor is inadequate, the county agent or committee will report to the state farm labor specialist, who, in co-operation with the state officials, will draw on the nearest available labor witlfin the state. A farmer who does not know the name of his county agent or those of the community committee should make his needs known to his state farm help specialist, who will direct his request into the proper channels and answer questions on farm help problems. The following are among south erners already named for this purpose. Virginia. E. W. Lawson; Alabama. L. L. riilbert; Florida. W. A. Dopsovi; Geor gia. J. E. Bodenhamer; North Carolina, T. H. Sopth Carolina, specialist yet to be named. For the southern states. George A Maloney, of Mobile, has been appointed supervisor. motion after promotion, with the proud knowledge that today he is not only president of the Illinois Central, but chairman of the board of directors of the Central of Georgia, president of the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley, president of the Chicago, Mississippi & Gulf and chairman of the board of directors of the Ocean Steamship company. Through bjs long association with the Central of Georgia and other roads* In the south, Mr. Markham has- come to be intimately familiar with traffic condi tions in Dixie. Not only that, but he himself is a native southerner, having been born in the little city of Clarkes ville Tenn. He is married and has one son. His home is in Chicago. NUMBER 36. - SECBETARY OF WAR DECLARES CRITICS IMffl ERRORS. Reviews Record of Achieve rfient of War Department. Says Mistakes Have Been Corrected When Found WASHINGTON. Jan. 28. —Secretary Baker, in a long personal statement to day before the senate military commit tee replfed to Senator Chanxber'lajjLa charges of inefficiency and breakdown a in the war department. i ■ Without prepared manuscript and in a frank conversational manner the secre tary of war told the senators he came to defend no mistakes or but to insist most emphatically that deftciences where disclosed had prompt ly been remedied; that they were the ex ception rather than the rule, and that the very magnitude of America’s under taking made errors of judgment and mistakes likely. Incidentally, in defending the war machinery against the charge of inef ficiency and lack of initiative to prepare for war when war was assured, the sec retary disclosed some facts hitherto held confidential. France and Great Britain, he said, are supplying artillery to the American forces as they had an excess on hand and because they wished to save ships for more vital necessities. Thirty-two divisions of national guard and national army troops in camps in the United States—more than a million men in all—are considered ready to go overseas for service whenever R is de cided that they shall move. Bifle for Every Man Every American soldier who uses a | rifle, Secretary Baker told the senators, already has been provided with one and the rate ot manufacture assures a steady supply as troops become ready to use them. \ Lewis machine guns, he said, al- \ though they have been ordered, are not W| being used for the troops on land • be-, cause General Pershing and his staff desire them only for airplane work. Great Britain and France, he said, are prepared to furnish machine guns for I the land forces until the American sup ply arrives, and in fact wish to do so. Responsibility for calling out a large number of men before equipment for them was ready. Secretary Baker as sumed to hhnself, but added that ths J best military advisors, including Major ‘ General Leonard Wood, pressed it. Charges of mistreatment of troops In hospitals. Secretary Baker said, were acted on« vigorously and pointed out that the war department only last week refused to permit mere dismissal of two army doctors who mistreated sol- W diers, but insisted they should have pris on sentences tn addition. Chamberlain's speeeji. Mr. Baker ; thought, had given the country the im pression that the deficiencies complain ed of “were characteristic rather than occasional.” For that reason he de plored its effect, hot he emphatically declared he came before the committee not to defend individuals, deny delays or false starts. “But.” said he, "T 4hink I can say in confidence that in them we have sought the remedy." Thirty-two Divlsiona Ready “There are now in the United States sixteen national army camps and six teen national guard camps (thirty-two divisions of troopsi filled with men ready to go.” said Secretary Baker. "I do not kjnow how fast It may be necessary to send them to France." he said. "I know how fast have sent them and how fast we plan to send them. “What we tried to do was to get the men out as rapidly as we could esti mate on the production capacity of the country being able to care for thiem.” Mr. Baker said his statement was not exactly supplementary to his recent one to the committee, but a comprehensive statement on all army activities tn the war. especially replying to the charge that the war department had "fallen • j Sown.” At the outset the secretary said he thought much criticism came from Im patience of the American people “to do this great thing quickly.” He conceded freely that tn so great an enterprise it was impossible that . there should not be "delays and short comings.” The confidence of the coun try. however, he said, was necessady tc the tremendous effort.” More Than Million ..Under Arms That there are more than a million men under arms in this country was stated by Secretary Baker in referring to the cases of alleged neglect of the dead in camp cited* by Senator Chamber lain. Major General Wood, Mr. Baker said, recommended calling out a large army, although the men could not be provided at once with rifles and clothing. Every soldier who needs a rifle has one. Mr. Baker said, and of a better type than if the British Enfield rifle had been adopted. Defending the lacH of the Lewis ma chine guns. Secretary Baker reiterated that Gneral Pershing does not want Lwis guns for the ground forces, but only for aviation. Declaring that by securing artillery from France. Mr. Baker said it also would save ships. “I’m telling no secret when I say that ships are the crux of dur problem,” he .said. Secretary Baker said all foreign rep resentatives and also the war counsel anticipants headed by Colonel House declare that securing ordnance from England and France will not take sup plies they neqd but will help them. Country Should Know “For one reason or another, the im- ■ cssion has gone out into the coun •y »r> some extent, that the war de •.rtment has fallen down in the oon dnet of the war,” said the secretary. “I (Continued on Fage 8, Column 3.)
