New Britain herald., 1917-07-28
BIG SEIGE GUNS FOR
AMERICAS SOLDIERS
Army Of Artillery to Be Sent to
European Fronts

Washington, July 28-The eagita-
ton over the supposed plan of the
government to place the Notifications
of the country in a better condition
for defense was short-lived. Yester-
day the war department explained
that its estimate of nearly two and
half billion dollars "for arnaent or
Notifications" submitted by the Sec
rotary of the treasury to the senate
committee on finance, was not to be
utilized for the apparent purpose
stated, but would be devoted to the
manufacture Of heavy and field ord
nance to be sent to France and where
ever American artillery was TO be
employed against te enemy.
The war department plans to en-
ploy artillery on the fighting fronts
on a huge scale. On the highest au-
thority the statement was made at
the department that there was no
truth in a report that no American
heavy artillery would be employed in
Frace. 1t was the intention, according
to what was said by this authority,
to utilize all classes of artillery
manned by American gunners with
the American troops in the fighting
area. Brig. Gen. Peyton G.. March,,
who is now in France, has been desig-
mated as chief of artillery for all the
American military forces, and will
have under his command every class
of ordnance capable Of being used in
mobile operations from the heaviest
siege guns to small mountain cannon
. AS none of the two and q, half bill
lion dollars asked for ordnace
purposes is to be expended except in
furnishing guns to be used by Amer
can troops in the theater Of war, it Is
evident that the administration con-
templates the formation Of an army
of artillerists To provide enough
men to handle the guns to be sent
abroad cavalry commands of the reg
ular army, the National Guard, and
the National Army are to be en-
ployed as artillery. Practically no
American cavalry sent to France
will be equipped for cavalry
duty, and such cavalry as is retained
for mounted work proba bly, will be
sent to the Mexican border
1t is evident from what was said !
at the war department that arrange |
ments are being made for EMPLOYING !
the very heaviest siege rifles against |
the Germans. These. it Is supposed. |
will be manned by men of the coast |
Surprise was expressed in the high |
est quarters at the war department |
when questions were asked concern
ng the understood purpose of the de-
oartment to model allan erican field |
ordnance along French lines, and to
lave the new ordnance manufactured
n French factories. It was said that |
uch an impression was erroneous. |
When it was explained that the pur-
pose of the department in this respect
nent given to the press by the COM
nittee on public information the sur
Prise deepened. Department author
ties said they knew nothing of tho
announcement, which, it was added,
contained information not in accord
with the departments intentions. The
mystery was not cleared, but the !
fact remains that the committe on |
public information gave out a long
accepted as authoritative,
which said not only that the French
we're to make the ordnance for the |
American army but that, as Ameri-
:an guns now in use became In need |
Or refining, they would not be refined
out would be changed in calibre to |
it French ammunition. The state |
nent of the committee on informa-
ion was issued on July 20.