The Washington times., 1915-12-09
COMPARATIVE STRENGTH.

It Is not possible as yet to determine
muster the larger support. Government
control OF all munitions production un-
deniably has n considerable support in
the middle West and South. where there
Is least enthusiasm about the prepared
ness program.
1t also has backing among elements
that would be glad to see the export
of munitions prohibited entirely. The
prediction has been made since Congress
met. that when the showdown comes
It will see every vote that last session
could have been mustered IN favor Of
prohibiting exports. favoring Govern
ment monopoly in this line.
This however, Is not all the strength
that will be arrayed in favor Of Gov
ernment manufacture and monopoly.
There Is a considerable element OF men,
bers who would not have supported an
embargo on exports, but who sincerely
believe that Government manufacture
represents the right method of perfect
ing our national preparedness. They
believe safety lies In Government domi-
nation of this business.
Feature of Session.
This discussion is going to be one Of
the biggest features of the coming ses-
sion. There are two fundamental opin-
ions. as wide apart as the poles.
One element Insists that private own
ership Is absolutely necessary In order
to maintain in this country a large
enough capacity to meet possible needs
In case OF a great war. 1t argues that
private ownership with the fullest
measure of governmental encourage
ment. enabled both Germany and France
to create the great establishments that.
when the war broke out. were ready to
supply their necessities. ..-
The Krupp works were built up, dur
ing a long era of peace, as private
enterprise that sold war munitions all
over the world. Germany was the oest
customer. 1t is true: but any country
could come to Essen and get what It
wanted. Spain bought there. TO fight
the United States: the United States States
bought there to ight England. and
England bought there to fight the
Beers Russia bought in vast duanti-
ties 10 fight Japan, and now Japan Is
turning out munitions to the limit of
capacity and turning them over TO
Russia to fight Germany.
Worlds Headquarters.
All around the world, wherever there
was a market for the tools OF war, the
Krupps have been on hand to sell. Even
within the experience of the present
Washington Administration. a shipload
OF German munitions destined to the
Huerta forces in Mexico caused dis
agreeable international incident
Pursuing this policy of building up
munitions making as a great general In
dustrY, Germany became the world $
| headquarters. She became possessed OF
plants and capacity beyond compare In
any other country; Of skill and expert
ence; of constant opportunity for eX-
perimentation, development, and perfec'
| tion of processes. 1t was a business In
which the government of Germany could
! not thus directly have engaged. because
that woulu have been violation OF
! neutrality.
This is the nub of the whole matter
! 1t Is perfectly plausible to talk about the
| principle of Government owning all the
! industries that must contribute to arm
; ing its forces when war comes. but the
! fact Is that If the Government owns
] them there cannot possibly be develop
ment OF a business that will place then
! on self-sustaining basis. or anything
| like it. Likewise. according to people