Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-26
Caution of Observers

As a matter of course, Col. Treat
sad. none Of the observers would send
home during the war information
which might I've of value to other bel
0eerents should it become known in
this country.
Both the congressional military COM
mt,ees were given much information
eiay as to artillery of all types. Brig.
Gen Crozier, chief of ordnance, dis
Hssed IN detail befor. the House COM
ni,tee the war departments plans for
biz guns while Col. Treat, a field ar
tllery man, talked of the lessons
dawn from the war.
Know of 42-Centimeters
colonel Treat disclosed that the war
apartment has definite information
as to the famous 42-centimeter howit-
5srs which the Germans used to crush
tier way 20 the French frontier forts.
The guns can be fired without mount
Ing them one concrete emplacements,
he said. and made ready for use in
PISS than one hour and a half after
they reach a given point Both he and
General Crozier told of plans for SIM
Ia' guns now being prepared in the
war department.. Primarily they will
u used In coast defense work, al
'aoueh motor tractor plans for their
a@ IN field operations are also being
NoFSed out. There is no reason to ex-
I@' mat trench warfare conditions
VII nave TO be met in this country,
Vel treat stated, and therefore the
rOpoF'ion OF high explosive shells and
Sfaphel for field guns will not be al
E'ea as radically for the American
''H'' as the French and British have
,sl'a necessary. Describing the CT
~. "a hlsh explosive fire at troops, he
su mad been noted abroad that the
A"di eFect of the defamation of these
.-S"eS was far greater than that of
.'aVnei' although the latter was more
.Fa4F' \ nigh explosive shell bursting
s uls mead of column. he said, while
~i.eu fewer men than a shrapnel.
'Vud be more likely to check tho adj
vance '''9 ou
meeting French improvements
~ sue american 3-inch field artillery,
+, >''o"ei explained. duplicated the
E. -'" 'os in every respect but rap
,,,s VI hfe and experiments are in
\. ''ss which, ii is believed, will give
- guns all the advantages of the
"Fach weapon.
Preparing Factories
''al 'roz!er's examination by
1''FFS OF the House committee in.
~eo mat efforts were to be made
NJ. 'Ne INTO the army bill definite
'oF utilizing private munition
,.,,. "'eS IN time OF war. Several sug-
bs,, were advanced, chiefly a pro-
n..t. ""' the necessary patterns and
site attachments be made and
y ~ so that every commercial rifle
,.-a '.''luhi'lon factory could be con-
Iva. quickly to turn out army cali
bis General Crozier estimated that
,,n. would cost $4,000 and would
sn. su'e the implements necessary for
Ia ns the governments capacity
ill., Ae 1900 new model Springfield
d, :, cay to total daily production
VIZ WE country Of $4,000 or more.
'.nout the preparation of such i'm
sos 'n's IN advance, he said. CONVEX
:" the plants might take year.
Mccain on EnIistments
liz t.,nt General Mccain repeated
\. 'el'ef that the United States could
Ia, .efuit for the regular army more
sns, ."VVo men a year under any cir
scn,.''a Asked what the chief diff
s.,a IN the way of getting men
sis, Il ne said: We'll. they just don't
continued on Page 3-coIumn ~