AMERICA.

Taihape Daily Times, 29 January 1918, Page 5

AMERICA.

AMERICA'S ARMY READY e

TO BE SENT TO FRANCE.

Received 5.45

WASHINGTON, Jan 28

Mr Baker lias issued a statement that every man in thirty-two army camps is ready to be sent to France.

WAR DEPARTMENT DEFENDED t

MORE TROOPS SENT TO FRANCE THAN EXPECTED.

Received 10.10

WASHINGTON, Jan 28

Mr. Baker made a statement to the Senate Military Committee for the purpose of refuting charges that the War Department had broken down. He did not deny that mistakes and false starts had been made, adding it was impossible to conduct such a great enterprise without shortcomings, but the errors were quickly rectified. Tne War Department considered it better to send men to camp without rifles than to wait until rifles were available. Despite the fact that many times the number of men had been sent to France than was expected, no man had been sent untrained or without a rifle. Frace desired the American troops quickly, so agreed to supply the biggest guns