Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-15
ARMY AND NAVY CAN
BE PREPARED SOON,
OFFICIALS DECLARE.

Of both the war and navy departments
maintaining an outward appearance OF
calm, 1t became known that the slight
est intimat'on from Germany that Il
intends to declare war on the United
States will be followed Immediately by
vigorous steps Of preparation.
Altho the present condition OF botn
the army and navy IS anything but
what the officers on the board OF
strategy would have it, the fact that
for months Europe has been largely de-
pendent upon the United States for
munition of war has made it possible
for the United States to prepare 1or
any emergency In far less time than
ever before when danger was threat
ened.
It was stated here by a prominent
official that the government is in touch
with establishments which could sup
ply every necessity of an army Of a
half million men within four weeks.
The men could not be mobillzed be-
fore their supplies would be ready for
them.
Navy Can Be Made Ready.
The same official was responsible
for the statement that the government
has at hand the facilities for bringing
the navy up to fighting trim In a rec
ord breaking manner. With the excep-
ton of battle cruisers every deficiency
| of the navy could he corrected within
q months time. Even the lack OF sub
! marines, especially seagoing subma-
rines, could be made up within space
| Of three months, according to this Of
fetal.
The greatest difficulty. with respect
! to the navy would be to obtain enough
men with sufficient experience to man
not only the lighting craft but the
lauxiliaries and supply ships.
! At the time Of the landing at Vera
Cruz last year tho government was
hard pressed for auxiliary vessels for
the navy as we'll as for transports. In
| the event of war With Germany all OF
the German merchant vessels now In
American ports would DE taken over by
this government Immediately. AS a
large number Of them were designed
| for the work Of commerce destroyers
during war, they could easily be con-
verted into most valuable scout ships,
something which the navy sadly lacks.
| The remainder could be fitted up into
transports, hospital ships, and supply
ships.
Can Augment Army Rapidly.
Even the army, With its few thou
sand men carefully keeping watch on
| the Mexican border, could be largely
augmented in a few weeks. tho the new
troops would not be ripe for battle for
several months.
The national guard of the various
states, figured on paper at $4,000 men,
would probably yield about half that
number in valuable fighting troops
I ~ - ~ ~, yuyh
military service is required. however.
would get at least 25,O0O boys and
young men who could be made valua
BILE soldiers in short time. The ex-
listing naval reserve, however, would
| not in any way meet the requirements
of the navy.
| The United States is the greatest
manufacturer of war munitions and
supplies in the world. 1t is possible to
obtain from various concerns here ev-
erything, from a cavalry pistol to a
forty-two centimeter gun, such as the
Germans used to batter down Liege
and Namur. Every variety Of ammuni-
ton can be purchased and the plants
can turn it out just as rapidly as it is
needed.
Army Autos Are Ready.
| American automobile manufacturers
are now at work turning out the latest
designs in military conveyances for the
! belligerents abroad. These concerns
could fill every demand of this gov
eminent within four weeks, it is esti-
mated here.
American shoe and clothing manu-
facturers also have been busy on war
contracts for months past. They, too,
could fill all government orders In time
for the organization Of any army which
| the United States might place in the
field.
Similarly with American medical
supply concerns. They have every rem
ledy and every instrument needed in
military hospitals. The large forces Of
American doctors and nurses in Eu-
rope, 1t is expected, would be called
upon to augment the medical depart
ment Of the army. II necessary, while
the many church and social organiza-
lions which have been preparing
bandages and clothing for the wounded
l of the European armies are ready to
Iprepare similar materials for the
United States If needed.
Garrison Prepares For Haste.
Secretary Of War Garrison, altho
bitterly regretting the state of unpre-
paredness in which the United States
exists, has done everything within his
power to prevent . recurrence Of
events such as characterized the mob
Iilization for the Spanish American war.
For weeks the war department has
been In close touch with Sill American
firms manufacturing war materials Of
any sort.
!! :, 4 ARRANGEMENTS have been completed