Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 106, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1919 — BAKER REPORTS OVERSEAS CAMPS “SIMPLY IDEAL” [ARTICLE]

BAKER REPORTS OVERSEAS CAMPS “SIMPLY IDEAL”

New York, May s.—The one million man of the American expeditionary force will embark for home next week, Secretary of War Baker said today on his arrival here from France aboard the transport George Washington. The homeward movement of troops, Mr. Baker said, is progressing in a most satisfactory manner, and he added that the 300,000 a month mark would be reached in June. Secretary Baker left here April 7, accompanied by Warren Pershing, Gen. Pershing’s only son. He visited various points in France, where American troops were quartered, going also to the Gennan line where he reviewed the third army. Speaking briefly of his visit, Secretary Baker said: “The American army abroad is in splendid condition.' The third army, which I inspected on the German frontier is beyond doubt the best equipped army in the world. It is everything that an army should be, in all its departments. “The men are anxious to get home, and we are moving them as rapidly as possible. I expect to see the 300,000 a month mark reached in June and . the one millionth man will embark for home next week.” Secretary Baker said he visited but one camp—that at Brest. “Its condition is simply ideal,” he asserted, “and you can get the same expresion from any doughboy on this ship. I did not see any of the others, but am informed that the same good condition prevails at all.”