The Washington times., 1916-01-03
Chief Of Staff Urges That Imme.
diate Steps Be Taken for
Larger Ammunition Stores.
WANTS CENSORSHIP LAWS
Would Have Regulations for
Communications Before Any
Emergency Arises.

More guns Of heavier caltber ana
larger stores Of artillery ammunition
are declared to be an urgent need OF
the United States army. In the annual
report Of Brig Gen. Hugh L. Scott.
chief Of staff OF the army. General
Scott also urges that immediate steps
he taken to draft legislation providing
for censorship in time Of war.
General Scott declares that one Of the
great outstanding features" OF the war
is the use of large caliber mobile artil-
lorv.
Each and all OF our observers have
been struck with the gigantic results
attained by its use" he says, "and each
md every one emphasizes the neces-
sty of our immediate development
along similar lines. Mobile guns OF at
least Pinch calber. mounted on rail-
way carriages or dragged by suitable
motors. are especially needed for trans
.portation up and down our coast line
to protect our undefended harbors and
prevent hostile ships from putting land
ing parties ashore anywhere on our
coasts outside of the range Of the guns
Of our coast defense forts. and to as
Sist the mobile army In defending the
rear of these forts
NeeQ OF Ammunition.
Need of a larger ammunition supply
than has been considered necessary in
the past and of more ammunition
trains is pointed out. In this connec-
tion the great utility Of motor tractors
motor trucks and armored automobiles s.
has been demonstrated. and provision
should be made for supplying them.
Gen. Scott declares.
Prior to the outbreak Of the pres
ont European war" Gen. Scott's report
adds. the ordnance department made
a study Of the probable output Of ord
rance material of establishments in
this country that might be expected in
the event of an emergency. The enor-
the present conflict abroad, however.
indicates that the estimates Of the de-
nartment for reserve supplies and in
creased output in case Of war have
been too low: and that a larger output
must be provided for. The increased de-
mand for war material Is resulting in,
a marked expansion OF esta Adjustments q
in this country for the production OF
that class OF material. which would be
extremely useful in. meeting the re-
auirements of the United States in case
of emergency. II it could be preserved
and effort should be maue to bring
about arrangements with such estab-
lishments to fill our needs when the
For Censorship.
Cen. Scott's recommendation for CEN
*orship is that officers of the army
md navy be directed to consult with
representatives Of press associations
and leading newspapers in drafting leg
iSIation authorizing the President to
issue regulations for control of publi-
cation and censorship OF telegraph
O. BILE wire and mail communca tiona
whenever such courses may seem nee
"sSary for the Country's defense.
:. 1T ia of vital Importance" Gen.
Scott says. that all these steps be
taken before the occasion arises for ap-
plication of a censorship We may an
ticipate greater confusion and dissatis-
faction than Great Britain experienced
il no plans be prepared and no per-
Sonnel be selected for execution thereof
until the time arrives when censorship
and control of the press becomes nee
cssary as in Europe in 1914"