The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-10

II IN looking forward to the Assem-
bling of the conference it can not be
too strongly emphasized that it is a
war conference and nothing else, de-
voted to devising ways and means to
indentify the efforts of the belliger-
ents against Germany by complete
coordination under Il general plan
and thus bring the conflict to a speedy
and satisfactory conclusion
The situation pictured by the sec
retary shows that the real purpose of
the conference is to create in effect
great general staff to coordinate and
direct the energies of the o-bellger-
ents. 1t will be the duty of the con-
ferees to deal with military strategy
in such sweeping terms that entire
nations will be but units Of operat-
ing in the great game The whole
fighting force of three-fourths of the
world is to be welded into one mighty
war making machine.
Mr.. Lansing discloses something of
the complex problems with which the
government has had to deal in serv-
ing as the treasury and storehouse for
all the allies.
Already money and supplies have
be EN- poured out at the call of the va
rious powers with lavish hand. AS
each mission has come to present its
case and state it's needs, it's arguments
have been heard and the resources OF
the United States have been drawn
upon.
Each visiting mission, however, has
dealt largely or only with it's own
need. Each has clamored for men
ships, money, food, munitions or
what it most lacked There has been
the same lack OF coordinated plans
and predetermined objective and pur-
poses that has been apparent at times
on the battlefields of Europe. Thus
while dealing with the necessity of
providing for it's own military needs
and electing the course of it's own
military efforts, the United States has
been made by circumstances the ar
bitter of many phases of the war. 1t
has been forced to make decisions
which may have had already far
reaching effect upon the progress of
| the war.
The great war conference will re-
lieve the government Of this duty.
The men who compose the Ameri-
can mission are regarded by the gov
ernment as eminently fitted for their
tasks as each has been personally as
sociated with the development OF
some phase of the vast mobilization
Of the nations resources since the
United States entered the war. Ad-
miral Benson has personally super
vised and directed the expansion of
the navy. He has had the benefit not
only Of reports from Vice Admiral
Sims, commanding American forces
| in European waters. but also the di-
rect information furnished by Ad-
miral Mayo. when the latter returned
from Europe.
| There have been indications that
Washington was anxious to know
what might be possible i'm the way Q
greater naval activity against the
Germans.
Admiral Benson has the concensus
of American naval opinion as to the
course deemed wisest No hint OF
what that opinion Is, however ha'
been permitted to leak out.
General Bliss has seen the Ameri-
can army grow under his own hand
The great army that is taking shape
now throughout; the counry is al
most as much the product of his
concentrated effort as "Kitchener's
mob" was of the great British war
chief.
Oscar Il. Crosby is armed with facts
and figures that will show just what
what the country can do in financing
the war and how it can be done.
| Vance Mccormick carries informa-
ton as to foreign shipments and the
plans for distributing war tasks over
American industries so that the stag
Sering load can be carried without q
falter. Mr.. Co,hy has the facts as to
ships transports and cargo boats,
built. building on planned Mr.. Tay-
lor can tell all Food Administrator
Hoover has been able to learn as to
the store OF food on hand while Mr..
Perkins can show What has hepn