The Cordova daily times., 1917-05-29
AMERICA READY FUR WAR, SAYS
 OFFICIAL

WASHINGTON, May 29. - Ameri- ca Is ready for the war so far as rifles and ammunition is concerned. Frank A. Scott, chairman of the general mu- nitions board Of the council of na- tional defense. has issued the follow ing statement:
 We are in position now to assure tho country that rifles and ammuni. tion will be ready for American troops las fast as they can be raised and other wise prepared for foreign service There are on hand more than enuogh rifles for the rifle carrying men of of army of approximately million and arrangements have now been made to provide for the arming of a larger force and for the reserve which the wastage under modern war con ditions makes necessary. Plans have been completed to take advantage of the small arms factories developed in our country as the result of the Euro pean war, and convert them to our use. In addition the government ar senals are being expanded. In gen eral it may be stated that small arms, including ammunition, can be provid- ed for practically any number of men that the country may call to arms.
 Manufacturing facilities for the Springfield rifle are not adequate to supply the number required for the larger force which the United States may decide to send abroad and to re. place the wastage of such a force. Fortunately the existing small arms facotries which have been turning out quantities of rifles for the British army are equipped to manufacture the Enfield rifle in more than sufficient number. Therefore, it has been de cided to adopt the Enfield rifle, but manufactured to use American ammu- milton of various types. This devel- troops to such extent as may be ne-
 
 tinue to manufacture the Springfield model, the ammunition for which will be interchangeable with that of the new Enfield.
 The United States is in a very sat isfactory position so far as all types of ammunition are concerned. This country has developed during the past three years great plants for the manu- facture of high explosives. small arms ammunition, and field artillery ammu- milton of various typesf This devel- Opment has been so great that several of the belligerent nations have re- ceived the greater part of their sup plies from us.
 Steps are being taken to provide for the additional quantities of field artillery necessary for modern bat tie conditions through the extension of plants already in operation for the allies, and through the introduction and adaptation of new plants that have not hitherto manufactured war mater ial. The general munitions board is endeavoring to develop these various resources to the fullest capacity, in order that the country may be pre- pared for any developments of the military situation, no matter how seri- ous they may prove.
 Tn order to secure the great quan- titles of artillery immediately neces. sary for the large armies that are to be raised, a certain number of guns of tried foreign types, but manufac. tured in the United States, will be in. troduced into our service. Satisfac- tory arrangements have been made to accomplish this. In the meantime, the munitions plants are pushing forward their preparations for the manufac- ture in large quantities of the various types of mobile artillery that have been adopted for our own service. Among these types is the 3-inch light artillery gun, of which the latest mo del is said to be even superior to the famous French 78."
 The board has not authority to issue