Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-06
Boundless Material and
10000, 900 Men Ready
to Be TMoDn Into
Scales Of Warfare.

uhner the American flag.
Into the balance against Germany
arc thrown navy in strength and
efficiency among the foremost anoat:
an army small but highly efficient,
backed hy a citizenry OF upwards OF
2o.c0e.06o capable OF military duty: In
dustriai resources 'hc greatest in the
worid, already modified for public SER
vice. and tho moral force or moro than
100000 600 Americans
Although much remains 10 he done.
officials believe tho nations dcstiric.
arc secure.
Tho navy has added new units TO
meet the German tactics. and through
III" patriotic cooperation Of ship and
material makers is hurryinS 10 COM
pletion other mighty hgihing Graf, that
will bc tho last word in power and
efficiency. \ newly organized coast
patrol OF submarine chascrs is on
duty. and hundreds OF small Graf,
to augment il arc under construction.
CAN MATCH BOASTED
GERMAN EFFICIENCY
Army preparations are loss complete
The regulars. numbering nearly I9o 600
and traincl and equipped in way
which their officers believe matches
unit for unit the boastcd efficiency Of
Gcrmany's best. arc ready 10 respond
overnight 70 whatever call may come
without additional authorization by
Congress. tho regulars and national
-uardsmsn could be recruited TO a COM
bined strength OF 100000.
Industrial preparations have pro-
duced great. compact scheme Of ma
tional resources with almost unlimited
possibilities. The Council OF Nntional
Defense not only has worked out a
definite and detailed industrial mo-
bilization plan. but has secured the in
dorscmcnt and pledges OF tho men who
can put il into effect at q moments
notice.
Detailed plans have been worked out
through months Of study by special
nava! board for reaiiEning the whole
system Of naval bases. and for the coast
patrol OF submarine chasers hundreds
of contracts have been lc, and many
other small craft have been offered
by private owners.
More than score OF bases have
been established for the mosquito neet
along the Atlantic and Gulf SITS
Secretary Daniels hopes witnin a snort
period To have at least 1000 such boats
in operation. Plans are read to com
mandcer D-ivat" shipyards under the
authorization of Congress. il necessary.
PREPARE TO ORGANIZE
AND TRAIN GREAT ARMY
The army. whose great need is trained
a,I A,ti..
means 10 prepare for the organization
and training OF any force Congress
may authorize. Hundreds OF appiica-
tions for commissions in the officers
reserve corps are being accepted. and
for the grade of second lieutenant the
bars have been let down 10 mon who
never have had military training.
For increasing the enlisted strength
vigorous recruiting campaign Is mn-
der way. with tho co-oDeration OF other
branches Of the government
In the matter Of supplies tho army is
we'll provided for
The plans for army expansion by the
general staff arc complete in every dc
tail. Universal service is the method
favored. and everything is ready to
make il effective Machinery for
volunteer army OF 100000 or 1000, 600
has hecn provided for immediate use
should that method lie chosen
The work of the Nationa! Defense
Council in co-ordinating all defense
measures not strictly military or naval
has been regarded by officials as quite
$ important as any other task Of pre-
paredness.
In the coordination plan, transpor-
tation has been nsidcrcd one OF the
important factors
RAILROADS UNDER
GOVERNMENT ORDERS
The railroads, by an agreement
among the roads to operate as a unit
in war time. virtually put themscivc
and their working forces under gov
ernment orders.
AS to transportation on ,he sea.
aside from the military. preparations
of a wide scope have been made The
Federal Shipping Board has mapped
out plan for construction of many
wooden ships Of 5000 tons and up
ward. which could do great service in
the important work of breaking down
the German submarine campaign and
carrying food and supplies TO the allies
They can be built in n short time
The shipping board also is seeing to
il that every available merchantmen
not needed by the navy does it's share
for the public service. and with this
end in view has made a survey Of all
the nations shipping resources
Even more complete is tho mobiliza-
ton OF labor resources. The American
Federation of Labor has undertaken
TO furnish trained workmcn for any
government or public service.
In the field OF munition production
pledges have becn secured from the
great plants which have beer. supply
ing the allies and thorough CO.
ordination system has hecn perfected
In addition, manufacturing concerns
everywhere now engaged i'm other in
T~ontinned an ThjrJ u, ~ =