New Britain herald., 1915-07-31

plosves and fuses, supplied by this
 country to the Allies in one year of
 the war were only 9 very small frac- K tional part of the munitions which have been used, and that all of the war material sent from this country to s Europe within the year would be ab- fsurdly insufficient for the defense of this country in case, as one official put it.: <. somebody suddenly Jumped on us.''
 From reliable informants it is learned that the government, in the dawning of a new policy of better pre- paredness, requested General Wood to make careful inquiry to determine the quantity of all sorts Of war supplies that have been shipped to Europe and tc obtain figures that could not be scontroverted Several reasons dictated the step. The government, receiving complaints from many pro-G German in cividuals and Associations regarding the inability of the Allies to continue war without American supplies. was anxious to get at the truth.
 What Investigation Shows.
 Tn the second place there arose a Teen desire to know just where this country would stand if, in case of war,
 
 tions, accumulated and piled up, that have gone to the armies of Europe. Tn the third place figures were wanted as to the amount of war material in stock or in the making in the United States which could be command deered by this government in case of trouble.
 According to informants General Wood has accomplished the task and has in preparation report which is likely to amaze many placid persons who have been going along on the as- sumption that in the last year this country has shown ability to turn out war supplies enough to win a great war.
 The report. so far as can be learned here, has not yet been filed with the war department, but persons who as- s,ame to be familiar in a general way with the facts ascertained say that General Woods researches have demonstrated more positively than any argument yet made the absolute unpreparedness of the United States in the matter of manufacturing mu- nitions.
 The opinion is given that the inves- togation shows that the supplies sent to. the Allies within the year were not ont twentieth of one per cent. of what they have used, and that, Tn certaln necessaries of warfare. such as rlnes, shells, high explosives and fuses, all the upplies sent abroad with the year would not have mal one per cent. or what this country would have needed in case of a serious war.
 Obtains Reliable Figures.
 It is understood here that General Wood, seeking an answer to the ques- ton as to whether or not the United States could have made respectable showing with the same amount of supplies that have been manufactured here for use in Europe, sought in formation from purchasing agents of all countries at war, from manufac- turers associations and individual manufacturers and from port mani- fests, which give the details of war shipments. Tn this way General Wood acquired an array of figures which could not be blinked at by any person at all familiar with the inn mense requirements of modern war fare.
 He learned that after year Of war, when there were troubles interna- tional or domestic, to curtail the op- erations of munitions plants; when European countries were literally begging American manufacturers to speed up and were offering money without limit; when there was every reason of profit and much sentiment to hasten and increase the output. the result was extraordinary trivial. He learned that the supplies of shrapnel and explosive shell, judged from the
 standpoint of consumption in the war, have been practically negligible. l Given Little Help. Despite all talk to the contrary the United States has done little or noth irg in this direction. She has given
 little of that sort to the Allies and would have been able to give little to herself. More has been accomplished
 in the way of supplying boots and
 shoes, wearing apparel and the like. I but so far as lethal instruments are l concerned the investigation proved the utter falsity of statements ahat a
 years manufacturing activity has
 shown the capacity to serve the coun- try when the time came.
 l The investigation disclosed certain hopeful conditions, however. Fore
 most is the fact that many old rnanu- featuring plants long devoted to
 peaceful manufacture have been re- constructed to turn ouI war material:
 that new plants are being built, and that others will be built,
 Here the question has arisen. What
 will be done with a1lose plants after
 the war in Europe ends Will they
 be permitted to turn back to form ar