The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-04
UNCLE SAM READY
To PUT BIC ARMY
IN FIELD At ONCE
War Preparations Have Been
Going on for Six Months
Quietly but With Great
Dispatch.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 3.-These are
days Of preparation in the war de-
partment An unusually large num-
Der of specifications are being sent
out inviting bids for supplies OF all
kind. particularly quartermaster' s
stores. 1t is also known that the
ordnance department has closed con-
tracts recently for big supplies of
powder.
1t was learned today that for some
time past the quartermaster depart
ment has been making UP a. list of
the merchant vessels and other
privately owned craft that can be
converted into transports without very
much expense or delay. The air OF
preparation permeates the whole war
department, but positive orders have
been issued by the direction OF the
president against anyone talking with
official authority on the subject, and
precautions We're taken TO have the
preparations proceed along the lines
and in the way that would arouse the
least possible comment.
Apparently the administration has
determined to be prepared for an
emergency, and not be found in the
conditions that the country was In
few months prior 10 the Spanish
Aemrican war.
War Plans Complete
It became known here today tHat
the ordnance department OF the army
has about completed war plans on
which ii has been working for the
past six years, and which were re-
Gently hurried TO completion For the
first time in the history OF the army
Ii was said today by one in authority
the war department is ready I'm
mediately TO put into the f1eEd oop,ooo
men armed and equipped. and ready
for action. General William Crozief.
chief of the bureau of ordnance, VINO
is now ohroad, directed these prepara-
tons to be made a little more than
six years ago. and the work was en-
trusted to Lieutenant Colonel j. I.
Thompson. Colonel Thompson's plan,
which will be officially known as the
war plan" is designed to meet actual
hostility. 1t contemplates increasing
the line of the regular army TO lis
maximum enlisted strength allowed
by law, and to muster into the service
the entire organized militia or the
several States at full war strength,
the remainder OF the army OF haIf q
million men to be made up by volun-
tary enlistments. The plan compre-
bends concentration camps at which
this army shall be armed and equip
ped before the different units are
sent into the field.
Field Supply Depots,
A plan of field supply depots mas
been perfected as to the details or
personnel. stores and supplies. Tools
and other equipment for six months
maintenance,
The new plan OF the ordinances De
partment has met with such favor
with the general staff Of the army
that orders have been issued TO the
medical department. engineering de-
partment, quartermaster's corps, ana
signal corps, to work out systems cor
responding to that of the ordnance
department.
1t is admitted by the war authori-
ties that owing to the lack OF FUNDS
they were handicapped in furthering
strategic plans for trouble. F'urtner-
more. although congress Is IN session.
the authorities are prevented from
asking for emergency appropriations
by the strict injunction of the presi-
dent that nothing shall be done 10
give the impression that the govern
ment is preparing for movement, OF
the army, or the navy.