AMERICA'S PART.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 16

AMERICA'S PART.

Mr Baker, Secretary of War, has issued a statement to the effect that' every man in 32 army camps in the States is ready to be sent to France. \ Mr Baker made a statement to the Senate Military Committee for the purpose of refuting the charges that the War Department had broken down. Mr Baiter did not deny that mistakes and false starts had been made, adding: "It is impossible to conduct a great enterprise without shortcomings; but our errors have been quickly rectified." The War Department, he explained, considered it better to send men to camp without rifles than to wait until rifles were available. Despite the fact that many times more troops had been despatched to France than they had at first expected'to send, no man went untrained or without a rifle. France desired the American troops quickly, and so she had agreed to supply the biggest guns for the American army. o*.*— Mr Baker stated that the United States would have 500,000 Jroops in Frajace'Wtly in the year, and more than 1,500,000 ready that 60,000,000 shells had been ordered for the army abroad. He predicted the early entrance of the American troops into active fighting. It is estimated that the 32 camps in the States mentioned by Mr Baker represent 900,000 men. ' . . Mr Baker has announced that snipping prospects are more promising, and he therefore hoped to transport a million and a-half troops to France in 1918. 1 heAmericans had built 600 miles of railroads in Franco, and also vast terminals and port facilities. The troops have even planted corn. It is reported that the United States ia sending 70,000 troops a month to^ France. The ship tonnage available is now double what was originaly planned. . Sixteen former North German Lloyd liners, laden with American troops and supplies, have arrived at French ports. The Government has granted a loan to Great Britain of 265,000,000d01. - A PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT. President Wilson has made , a statement that the culminating crisis, of the war has arrived, and this year's achievements must determine the issue. The Allies, he said, must and shall win the war. The cooperation of our farmers will materially hasten the triumphant conclusion of this o-ioat last war. He urged the nation s farmers to pledge their lives and fortunes to the task of securing: victory. Ho said: " The forces fightinff for the world's freedom depend for their sustenance in an extraordinary and unexpected degree on us. It will be our glory after the war that we made the supreme sacrifice by supplying abundant materials. We fight for th eUnited States' liberty and selfgovernment the same .as we did during the revolution. Our future lies in the balance. If our efforts are not crowned by victory it will mean that our whole economic development, .will come under the sinister influence of foreign control." BRAZIL AND ARGENTINE. Brazil is sending a cruiser and destroyer division, under Admiral Matos, to join the British fleet in European waters. She . is also sending aviators. The Argentine Military Attaches have been recalled from Berlin and Vienna, This Is regarded as significant, coupled with the smking of the Argentine steamer Irriandoon the 26th of January. The fact that Argentina, has sent a Note approving of Brazil's war declaration indicates that the country is moving towards war. CHINESE ASSISTANCE. Official advices from Peking state that

China is transporting her first fighting units to Franco. Official cables from Peking state that the Chinese have captured 2000 Bolshevik troops near Harbin, the Manchurian railway junction. The Chinese now occupy that city, and also control tho Entente supplies at Vladivostock. China is depending on Japanese shipping to convey her troops for France to tho war zono via Canada. Half a million Chinese troops are now ready to embark.