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

More guns Of heavier caliber 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 stan 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-
lcry.
Each and all OF our observers have
hcen struck with the gigantic results
attained by its use" ne says, and each
nnd every one emphasizes the neces-
slty of our immediate development
along similar lines. Mobile guns OF at
least Pinch caliber. 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"
Need 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
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. Scotts report
adds. "the ordnance department made
a study of the probable output of ord
nance material of establishments in
this country that might be expected in
the event of an emergency. The enor-
nous expenditure Of such material in
the present conflict abroad, however,
indicates that the. estimates of the de-
partment 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
marked expansion OF establishments
that class of material, which would be
extremely useful in meeting the re-
Quirements of the United States in case
Of emergency. II it could be preserved.
and effort should be maze to bring
about arrangements with such estab-
lishments to fill our needs when the
European war is over"
For Censorship.
Gen. Scott's recommendation for CEN
sorship is that officers of the army
end navy be directed to consult with
representatives of press associations
and leading newspapers in drafting leg
islation authorizing the President to
issue regulations for control of publ.
. cation and censorship OF telegraph
cable wire and mail communicat tionG
whenever such courses may seem nec-
cssary for the country's defense.
.. 1T is of vital Importance, Gen
Scott says. that all these steps be
Ia ken before the occasion arises for ap-
pllcation of a censorship. We may an
ticipate greater confusion and dissatis-
faction than Great Britain experienced
II 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 nec-
essary as in Europe In 1914"