Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-04
PROTECT PROPERTY
Of ARMY AND NAVY
All Yards and Stations Now
Closed to Public; ArsenaIs
and Posts Guarded.
SHIP MOVEMENTS SECRET

SHIP MOVEMENTS SECRET
Precautions to safeguard naval sta
lions, army posts and arsenals and
other service property constituted the
military measures taken by the govern.
ment last night following the sever
ance of diplomatic relations with Ger
many.
after his address to Congress with Sec
rotary Baker and Secretary Daniels
The conference, 1t was stated, had to
do entirely with precautionary steps,
although the Secretaries also probably
gave some general Information as to
the nations preparedness for war.
It was made clear that the admin
istration had no desire to take warlike
measures unless forced to do SO by
some act of Germany. No statement
was forthcoming as to whether mill
tary policy had been decided upon to
be applied in that event.
Specific Orders Issued.
The following specific orders went
out during the day:
The White House and White House
grounds were closed to visitors for the
first time IN many years.
All navy yards and stations were
closed to the public. only employees and
officers and enlisted men of the navy
to be admitted until further notice.
Officers commanding army posts, ar
senals. magazines and coast batteries
were directed to exercise every precau-
ton.
The State, War and Navy building
was closed to visitors and cards OF
Identification were issued to employees
and press representatives entitled to
admission.
Publication of the daily ship move
ment list, giving the departures and
arrivals of navy vessels. was suspended.
Orders to Fleet Unchanged.
Secretary Daniels said there was no
change in the orders of the Atlantic
fleet. THE fleet will continue ma
neuvers in the Guantanamo region" he
said.
Measures of national preparedness
unnecessary for the War and Navy De-
partments to do much work that other
wise would have to be begun imme-
dfately. For the navy, a survey Of all
merchant craft under the American
flag and of all small pleasure craft and
power boats has been virtually COM
pleted. Guns for the arming Of mer-
chant ships have been assembled at the
various navy yards with plans for the
structural work necessary for putting
them aboard already worked out. The
availability of each vessel SO exam
tned for some particular part in a naval
mobilization has been determined and
all data in regard to it placed on file.
Inventory Of Resources.
For the army and navy, an inventory
Of the manufacturing resources and
plants of the country has been carried
well forward, each plant examined hav-
ing been listed for it's best use in pro-
during war munitions. A text book on
munition manufacture has been COM
pleted and is about ready for issue.
From 1t private manufacturers can
learn quickly the steps necessary for
the conversion of their plants to war
uses.
The Council of National Defense. Gre
ated last year. already has taken over
the coordination of Industries for war
purposes and has worked out in part
its general plans.
Without additional authority from
Congress, President Wilson can direct
that the regular army be increased at
once to its full war strength of 286.000
men and the navy to $4,000.
National Guards Strength.
There is in addition the National
Guard, now about 10000 strong, and
the full strength of which-44O.000-
cannot be required under existing law
within four years. The regular army
now numbers about 10000 and would
not be recruited to full strength ex-
cept on order of the President in an
emergency Of Threatened war"
The War and Navy departments were
full of gossip yesterday as to what
steps lay beyond the severance OF rela-
tons. The question of the use which
might be made of the navy occupied
immediate bearing. Navy officials
would not say what plans were in con-
temptation, whether American mer-
chant craft would be conveyed, patrols
against submarines set up Off Ameri-
can ports or notwithstanding squad
rons organized.
Fleet in Good Situation.
So far as the fleet is concerned. Of
ficials appeared to agree that its pres
ent situation was most desirable. even
II war is to come Immediately. It is
highly improbable that any element OF
the great organized uSnllnS unit OF the
navy would be employed in convoy OF
other duty that would scatter its ele-
ments
Presumably navy practice would fol-
low that of other countries in the event
of war and the fleet be kept at some
secret mobilization point, ready to
strike in any direction in which its
fighting strength might be needed.
1t rests with the President what
army policy is to be followed IL wal
comes. The unanimous opinion of the
general STAFF has been that in prospec,
of war with a first-class power 3,000..
900 or more men must be trained The
view has been expressed that If {
great army is to be trained. the educa.
ton of a force of 100000 instructor.
must first be undertaken.
Hope for Universal Service.
officials who have been urging uni
versal service legislation are hopefu
that the bill prepared by the genera
staff for this purpose would be prompt
ly enacted should war come, and tn,
organization of the army proceed alont
the lines it lays down. The bill hal
not been finally approved by the indi
vidual members of the staff, who ar,
now considering it, Its details will no
be disclosed until it has been compIet
ed and submitted to Secretary RaLa