The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-10-05
NATION ISPUT
ON war BASIS
IN SIX MONTHS
on RoeURT ]. BINDER

united Press ataff Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Oct. D.
America, rounding out lite
first sis months IN the world
war today, has made marvellous
progress From a nation OF S
peace and unpreparedness. the
country In ak months has de-
veioped Into a powerful fight
| ing machlne--the greatest fac
tor In the war.
Congress. on the eve OF ad-
journment OF its war session,
has completed program
which, for magnitude and
money, has no equal In the his
tory OF the worlds parilamenta
On April 6-the day President
Wilson signed the declaration OF
war--the American army was small
and unsupplied. The navy was not
fully manned. Tho railroads. Wn.
dereauippcd. were unable 10 move
their yastsfrcight shipments. much
lcss 10 handle gigantic troop move
ments.
Wonderful Change Made
Americas merchant marine was
a Joke among nations. Tho army
had Less than n dozen aeroplanea.
No laws existed for the develop.
ment OF an army and navy. such ms
the emergency required. no money
was at hand for the Unprecedented
expenditures necessitated and no
authority for carrying out the war
talk
To-day. after six months. more
than a million men are under arms.
Millions more are registered for
service. subject 10 call. Sixteen
cantonment camps--cities. each
capable of housing 10000 men
have been built at cost OF $780,.
900, 900.
billions Loaned Allies
Billions have been loaned the al.
lea Billions have been appropri.
ated for equipping and supplying
the soldiers and sailors. ! There are
nov three tlmcs as many vessels
In the navy AZ six months ago. The
enlisted strength of the navy has
Increased from 6s.690 To over it5.-
900 and other branches have In.
creased from 800 to 500 per cen,
In personnel.
Twenty naval training campo
have been established and aircraft
and projectlie factories arc being
built. The aoroplane construction
program assures the presence of
thousands Of American ayiators on
European fronts soon.
Merchant Fleet Growing
Tho shipping board has contract.
cd for ta3 ships already. Selred
vessels are rapidly being put into
service. Plans have been complet.
ed for three steel fabricating
plants. 10 cos, 10000. 600. An or.
Grating department has been Great.
cd sufficient 20 run i.200. TO 1900
ships. Responding 10 international
appeals for speedy ship oonstruc-
ton on American ways. IL ix plan.
ned to build approximately $780,
900 tons within tho neIt Is months
and thereafter at lsas, 100000
tons a year.
Tho railroads are operating as
ono great system.
With ships and troops moving
steadily from this side to France.
the U. 8. IN tho last si1 months
also has saved the financial life Of
her sliles In tremendous loans.
Spending $4,000. COO an Hour
This country today Ia spending
approximately $4,000. 900 an hour In
all war expenditures
To meet these vast expenditures.
congress has authorized by tar ana
bond measures tho raising Of
SEC. 0oo. 0o0. 900.
The treasury department success.
fully flosted a firrt Liberty Loan
OF $4,000. 100000 and has Jus,
launched the second for $1,000.
600 900
While these great movements
were going on. congress placed In
the presidents hands authority
such as Is not possessed by any