Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 April 1919 — SECRETARY BAKER IN PARIS [ARTICLE]

SECRETARY BAKER IN PARIS

No praft Men to Stay in Germany— Talks of Disposition of Government Property. Paris, April —.—American troops to the number of 275,000 are returning to the United States from Europe during the present month, Newton D» Baker, secretary of war, said on his arrival in Paris from Brest. In May, he added, the number will fall to 250,000 because of lack of transports, but in June the number probably will rise to 300,Q00, which will be maintained as the monthly rate until all of the 1,400,000 men still here are returned. The secretary said that If any agreement should be reached by which American troops would participate in the defense of the Rhlhe indefinitely, undoubtedly the only soldiers used would be those who volunteered for 6uch service. Mr. Baker said he was in France to participate in the work of the American liquidatidn -committee. He expects te go to Coblenz and the former fighting front with General Pershing and to return to the United States within ten days. The secretary of war declared that no decision had yet been reached as to what disposition would be made of the docks, warehouses and 11 other permanent improvements constructed in France bv the United States goyernjment. He said that large quantities of captured guns and other war material would be taken to the United States as trophies. Much American heavy artillery equipment also will be returned, but no decision has yet been made as to the disposal of automobiles and motortrucks. , Belgium, the secretary said. Is to get large quantities of cotton goods and foodstuffs from the American army.