The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1913-12-13
NO AMMUNITION
CR|PPLEs ARMY
Garrison Asks For $4,000, 600
to Meet This mssd.
FOUR TIMES USUAL SUN.

VVuu busV6V VVVW6 WYNN
Threatened Crisis With Mckee Sharp
ly Directs Attsntisn - Army's Dire
Laek-Artiilsry % III Supplied That
Il Could Net 90 Through One In.
passmsnt-Navai Budget lnersass.
Recent Developments In Mexico have
sharply directed the attention Of war
department officials In Washington to
the army's nnpreparedness for trouble.
The question has received serious
consideration, and congress- will be
asked to Increase appropriations with
view to establishing the army on u
footing where 1t will be responsive In
any emergency.
For example. Secretary Garrison
asks for an appropriation Of nearly
$s.OOO.OOO for the purchase Of ammuni-
ton. In recent years not more than
$2,OO0.O0O annually has been allowed
by congress for this purpose. The esti-
mates by the secretary Of war invari-
ably have exceeded the amounts voted.
but Secretary Garrison's estimate IL
far In excess Of any made In recent
years.
The secretary Of war lust year asked
for Sl.25O.OOO for ammunition for the
artillery corps rs compared with the
$1,000. 600 I" be requested by Secretary
Garrison for this branch Of the service.
Not Enough For ons Engagement.
1t Is well known among army officers
that the field artillery has been neg
.lected by congress. This Is made up
Of ninety batteries, each Of four guns
EXPERTS declare that at present the
corps has not sufficient ammunition In
stock to go through single engage
ment. At present the artillery has no
reserve stock Of ammunition.
War department officials believe the
artillery should have available ut all
times about $4,000 900 worth Of am
munition. ample for beginning and
continuing operations In case Of trou-
BILE until the supply could I've repien-
ished.
Here is what General Wood. the
chief Of stan. said In his report Of 1912
concerning the appropriateness Of the
artillery corps:
u cannot too strongly urge tho ne
ce*xity for more liberal appropriations
Tor the manufacture Of re~erve mate
tiai Of tbs following type: First. field
artillery guns and ammunition: second.
coast artillery ammunition. The con-
dition A. to shortage. especially OF neid
artillery guns and ammunition n one
which constitutes grave danger to
this country and one which would ne
riOusly prejudice our chances for sue
cess In case Of war with a FIRST class
power. We shall be found unprepared
In this most important arm. both In
guns and ammunition. unless the pres
Ont deficiency is provided"
A little 10 excess of $04.0O0.O0O was
made available for the needs Of the
army this year. For the next fiscal
year the estimates call for an appro-
priation Of $1Oi.OO6O00 Most Of the
Increase Is made up by the larger al
lowance nsked for the purchase Of am
munition.
Navy Estimates Probably Increased.
Leaders in congress fear that the ma
w estimates also will be increased.
The appropriation for this year was
more than $14O.OO0.OOO. 1t is general
y believed the administration will urge
the authorization Of two battleshipa
in the new budget.
The small navy men are preparing to
fight this building program. They hope
that the German emperor will ac.
quIesce in the proposal OF Winston
Churchill Of the British Admiralty that
the powers shall suspend naval build
ing operations for year as a matter
of economy.
The small navy men are hoping
against hope that Germany will fall in
line with the policy OF retrenchment
suggested by Churchill. although they
feel that she will not II the kaiser
should consent to lay OF battleship
building for year the small navy
men in congress believe they could
prevent the Incorporation Of two bat
tleship program In the coming naval
budget.
Otherwise they fear that the recon-
mendation Of the administration In
this regard will be followed by con-
gress and that 1t will take hard work
In the December. session to prevent the
allowance Of very liberal appropria-
lions for both the army and the navy.