The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-11-29
UNITED STATES MUST
FURNISH 100000 SOLDIERS
Congressman Norton Says Americas
Full War Strength Will Not Be
Modified Until the
Spring of 1919

Hon. P. D. Norton, congressman
from the Third district of North Da-
kota, spent Tuesday in this city look
ing after matters of Importance con-
corning the interests of the state in
general and the farmers of this dis
trict in particular. Mr.. Norton visited
at Williston and was enroute to his
home at Hettinger, where he will
spend day or two before returning
to- Washington where congress con-
venes Dec. 3.
Mr.. Norton is making an excellent
record down at Washington. Not only
has he been right with the people of
his district, but his attitude with the
government as whole has been right.
Mr.. Norton visited the Independent
office and we enjoyed an hours visit
with him, in which time he told us
many things of Importance.
For one thing, Mr.. Norton is inter-
esting himself in the purchase of
horses by the government buyers
from the farmers. Upon investigation
he has found that buyers who secure
horses for around 500 dispose Of them
to the government for $16O. The mar
gin of profit is too great. He is con-
sidering the proposition of having
bona fide government buyers meet the
farmers in the various localities and
purchase their horses, giving them
every cent they have coming.
Speaking of our own city, he said:
"When l was here four years ago, I
believe I remarked to you that with
in fifteen years Minot would be the
largest city in the state. I see that
you now have $4,000 population, or
only about 5000 less than Fargo.
was wrong when I said Is years; I
should have said five or ten. The Can
adam country will open up a vast
business for your city in time.
81 am we'll pleased with the spirit
of loyalty shown throughout the state.
There is no educated man in Ger
many that criticises America for 60
ing into the war; they know we had
to do it to protect our own interests.
We would have been the laughing
stock of the whole world had we re-
manned out.
'The struggle is clearly between our
form Of government and that exem-
plified by the German government. 1t
! is the new against the old.
~ introduced a resolution in con-
gress providing for an official con-
gressional committee to be sent to the
battle front and thirty of US volun-
teered to go. Ten congressman did
go, but only as individuals"
| Speaking of the war situation, Mr..
Norton said: "The situation is no
different than it has been for a year.
AS far as America is concerned, it is
the most important business we will
have to do until Germany is thorough
| ly whipped. I believe our Allies and
ourselves will be successful. I see
nothing that indicates that the war
will close short of two or three years
and I have seen no one we'll acquaint-
ed with the situation that has predict
ed that it will close short of three
years unless something entirely I'M
| foreseen occurs. That unforeseen thing
might be the yielding of Germany to
reorganization of the Government
on democratic lines or the discovery
by the Allies of something as yet I'M
thought of that could close the war in
short order.
"America will not be in the war to
it's full war strength until the spring
of 1919. You must remember that it
takes vast equipment for one or two
million men. I should estimate that
we have between 100000 and 900
soldiers in France today and by spring
we ought to have from 100000 to
100000. France and England ought
to be able to hold out until our full
| fighting force is modified.
Russia will not be other than a
neutral power during the remainder of
the war, I predict. 1t is up to America
| to mobilize from four to five million
men and equip them just as rapidly as
possible.
"The war is apt to put every man,
woman and child of this nation into a
business that will best support the
war. Some lines of business may have
to be closed out. Merchants, lawyers
ana men in other professions may
have to go to the country to grow
foodstuffs for the army. The United
States cannot exempt the farmer boys
on the ground that they are needed on
the farms.
IT believe that when Germany fig
ures that she needs Denmark, Nor
way, Sweden and Holland, she will
make an effort to take possession of
these countries and force them into
the war on her side if she can. If this
war keeps on much longer, those coun-
tries will most certainly have to get
into the struggle"