New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-06


CHORUS.
which use the same ammunition az the
shoulder rife. The go rounds would
probably last an experienced soldier all
day, but il is unfortunately true that
the less experience a soldier has the
more ammunition he will pump out Of
his rifle. As our soldiers would he
nearly all inexperienced, We might eH-
pect them TO be out Of cartridges by
10 o'clock In the forenoon OF the inst
days fight.
What is our situation in regard 70
field artillery ammunition? Not so bad.
Our reserve is about 100000 rounds '-
thirty DAYS supply at the European war
average for 100000 men. For our lit
tle army we have built. arc building or
plan 70 build about 5000 field guns OF
tho several types: that ls, # the plans
20 through we shall have 5000 guns.
/ Our government manufactures its field
artillery ammunition at the Frsuhford
arsenal, near Philadelphia, and our Ell
tire capacity for the manufacture Of
this ammunition is just LOO proJcc-
tiles o day. I'm other words, II we
had 5000 guns ready which we have
not-we could make ammunition enough
az our government plant, running at
full capacity, TO enable each gun To
fire one shot every other day. or three
shots week.
ITO purchase the necessaries for am
munition and gun manufacture we
should absolutely require and this IS
only q rough estimate something
like S15.000,0O0 or s2O.OOO,OOO, and
that would be the end of II
until there was some change made.
General Crozier thinks the barest es-
sentisls can be provided for $4,000 -.
II would be a good insurance policy
and dirt cheap. We already have fac
tories in abundance, ordinarily engaged
in the industries Of peace. that are
equipped with the machines, We have
everything at hand except those special
appliances that are used only for war
materials.
Best o. all II war shor come it
would find US ready 20 20 among the
manufacturers OF the country vino are
prepared 10 make such articles and
make the best possible terms, or. II
necessary commando iruch plants and
run them a. government institutions.
81 am convinced after considerable
study Of the subject that no plan OF pre-
paration which leaves out this feature
can be effective. We may increase the
regular army. create volunteer force.
and provide for proper reserve, all good
/ i'm their way, but unless the principle
I for which | am cOntending is adopted
and carefully worked out, our soldier
will he for a long time ineffective a.
the best or sacrificed at the worst. II
we ever came into conflict with any
lrst class power
81 am sorry 70 5e compelled 10 say
what ] am going 20 say. but 10 can 30
TO harm. FOR our people are the only
ones VINO do no. snow it sircady. bU,
II tomorrow we became involved IN
war with ANY rst class Eower We
could not possibly supply With yea
the arms and ammunition i-nt
single battle Of any magnitude. With
the necessary articles I have suggested
on hand-and tel YOU frankly. upon
the best Of information. IL will require
more than & year 10 make them we
could within thirty days AZ q maximum
/ begin turning out all the necessary
arms and ammunition for any emcr-
gency. II required to state in the few
est words an explanation OF results IN
Europe TO date. ! should say Germany
md the gauges. Great Britain had
none.
SIS II not worth while. as m-@er
~ economy. a we'll ss matter o. in
surance, II we believe IN preparation
a. all. 20 set about providing for those
things without which al else VIII he
Ineffective?
Il can cite two examples of contract
for shrapnel One contract was for
81 apiece, a reasonable price. On an
other contract for the very same art-
Gle, of which have reliable informa-
ton, they are paying S23 apiece Tor
an immense number and anywhere be
tween these two prices wherever they
can procure anybody 20 make them.
I asked about the cost OF the gauges
for the time fuse and was informed
that the complete ou.rt cost. approx
mately. 100000. As TO he time 10 re-
CURED TO make the gauges, I was in
formed that, with the very best luck,
with every incentive in the way OF
increased price, 1t WAS hoped % have
the gauges ready 20 begin the manu-
fscture OF time fuses within six
months This does not take INFO &C
count the preparation Of the necessary
specifications and blue prints.
$4,000 Rounds Day.
81 have spoken Of the surprisingly
large quantity OF field artillery ammu-
milton that is being used in the pres
cnt war From the best information
we are able 20 obtain from The west
crn front in Europe, j. will average
about $4,000 rounds Of field artillery
ammunition da- for every 100000
men.
"A representative Of one % ,hc bel