The Washington herald., 1917-02-07
RUSH PLANS TO PUT
U. S. ON WAR FOOTING
Army and Navy Officials Ready to
Protect u. S. In Case of Strife.
coNrINuED FROM PAGE ONE.

rounds Of rife ammunition; Winchester
Arms Company. New Haven. Conn. 10
ooooo rounds Of pistol ammunition: Max
I'm Munitions Company, Watertown, N.
l., 100000 rounds Of ammunition
Secretary of War Baker gave orders
70 the quartermaster general of the army
to buy all possible extra stores that might
be needed in the event Of hostilities. The
placing Of more contracts for reserve
supplies will follow quickly the passage
and signing OF the new army appropria-
ton bull Action on the bill IL expected
TO be swift In the bill pending there
Is regular estimate for reserve supplies
OF S.sso.ooo. to which has been added q
supplemental s11. 900 at the suggestion
OF the Secretary OF War. When the ap-
preparation bill is in effect, over SIS, 900 600
will be available for reserve supplies.
General Censorship.
Both the Navy and War Departments
yesterday had In effect a general censor
ship on preparations. News regarding
vessel movements now go through the
nands OF Lieut. Charles Belknap, while
tne war news must receive the o. K. of
Maj. Macarthur. before it Is permitted to
become public. 1t Is believed probable
that In the event OF hostilities the United
states navy win utilize experiences gath
cred In the waters of the French and
british coasts in hunting submarines
Great fleets of priavtely owned motor
ooats would be equipped with experienced
men and small calibered guns to search for
submarines that might try to enter any
OF the country's big harbors. Onwers of
motor boats, yachts and other private
craft yesterday flooded the Navy De-
partment with tenders Of aid placing
their equipment at the service of the gov
srnment the moment It is needed. The
Bureau of Navigation has completed a
list Of all such vessels owned on the east
and west coasts and on the Great Lakes.
They can now be impressed into service
as soon as the emergency for their use
arises
The feet of ships In the various
branches OF the Department of Commerce
Will be requistioned by the Navy Depart .
ment when conditions demand. In this
group Of vessels are high-power motor
boats, used in inspection work, that would
prove Of value as submarine chasers.
There are other ships Of small size but
high speed that could be armed and used
for destroying submarines. Eight vessels
used by the Coast and Geodetic Survey
for soundings and exploration work would
be used as mine sweepers. Forty-seven
boats of the Lighthouse Bureau would
be especially adopted to mine-laying. Sew
enty-seven other vessels OF light draft
and of possible value in war are dis
tributed among other bureaus Of the de-
partment.
Would Turn Over Plants.
Offers of Industrial plant owners TO
turn over their works to the government
continued to pour into the Navy Depart
ment- One Of the next big preparedness
steps will be to enlist in the naval re-
serve the heads OF all large munitions and
shipbuilding works. Many of the more
important plants have been rendered to
the government for use II needed. It u
planned to enroll In the reserve the ad-
ministrative and executive heads of such
establishments. Their proper places n
var time, 1t is explained. will be In con-