Newton Diehl Baker was born December 3, 1871, at Martinsburg, W. Ya. His father was a physician and served with Stuart's Cavalry of the Confederate Army of the Civil War. His mother was Mary Ann Dukehart Baker. The son was graduated at Ich Hopkins University in 1892, and two years later obtained his law degree from Washington and Lee University Americans generally rose to the defence of Newton Baker when a Gerogatory sketch of him appeared in a volume of the "Encyclópedia Britennica." The sketch, reviewing his early life, said of him: "The charge of pacifism was often brought against and his coreer generally as y was widely condemned ihrcuehout the Un'ted States as lack: ing in energy, foresight and ability, and especially his failure to prepare adequately in the months immediately g the American declaration Prominent Americans criticized the sketch as unjust, unfair and untrue. Among those who commented upon it was Mr. James W. Wadsworth, Jr, a Republican, and for several years chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs. "While it is true that Mr. Baker was criticized, and in some instances I joined in the criticism," sud Mr. Wadsworth, "I am glad to have the opportunity to express my dissent from the estimate of his ability and services contained jin the "Britannica"—Reuter.
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