Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-21
Defense Council Predicts
Conflict is Not Yet
Near End.
WEAKER RUSSIA
PUTS TASK ON u. S.
British and French Comm ssioners to
Ask America to Do Buying For En-.
tente Nations as Long as War Lasts
Drive Against Russia Hoped For
in Belief 1t Would Strengthen Slavs
and Develop Patriotism.


That is what the national council of
defense and the several departments ot
the government, with the approval Of
President Wilson, are preparing for.
1t developed yesterday that secret
meeting of the national council OF
defense and other officials took place
Thursday. At this meeting the en-
tire world situation was canvassed.
The conclusion was reached that
an early peace could not he expected;
that the condition in Germany and
Austria Hungary was not such as to
tary machines Of those powers were
on the point of breaking down, and
that 1t was the duty Of this govern
ment to direct its operations in such
fashion as to, aid the allies most sf-
fectively during long period OF time
Big Forces to 30 Prepared.
Unless a radical change. takes place
on the European battle fronts, there
fore. the United States will be In
volved in the war for at least two
yearss BY the. end Of that time. un-
der the progran adopted. this coarfz
try will have 100000 men under
arms.
This large army will be we'll equip
ped and provided with all the rifles,
artillery. airplanes, motor transporta-
ton, etc, it may need. ...
The navy, too, will be considerably
enlarged, and will include in the neigh
borhoOd Of a quarter Of a million men.
1t is estimated that during the next
year the United States will spend
81, 900, 100000 on preparations and dis:
burse $4,000, 100000 among the allies.
The following year expenditures will
be greater than the vast sum already
authorized.
Russ Weakness Feature.
Leaders in congress have been in
formed Of the decision of the admin
stration to prepare for two years OF
war, and in the consideration Of the
means Of raising revenue they are pay :
ing particular attention to schedules OF
taxation which will produce the larg-
ct sums and bear the least heavily
upon the people.
Likewise the committees having in
charge legislation for helping the coun-
try to greater productivity are endeav-
oring to build for the future as well
as for the immediate present.
The necessity for more or less per-
manence in the action now contem
plated arises, first, from the strength
Of the central powers, and. second,
from the condition which prevails IN
Russia.
Some of the embassies here have re-
ceived information regarding Russian
conditions which tallies precisely with
that published.
There has come the additional infor-
nation that because Of apprehension
that Germany will take advantage of
Fussias 8 weakness to launch q campaign
against Petrograd, large number of
families in the capital are moving to
Moscow.
Would Welcome Drive.
Some Of the authorities here nope
Germany will strike at Petrograd. They
;believe, an invasion Of that kind would
arouse slav patriotism and quickly de-
|velop a united Russia.
With Russia unable to figure import
|antly in the struggle. the role Of the
United States becomes the larger.
While the allies would like this gov.
lernment to send men to the front, they
say it is not imperative. Italy, for ex-
ample, Is holding a longer line than
Great Britain and France.
II .s the expectation: of her general
STAFF that Germany will plan an early
campaign against this line, the object
being the conquest Of the peninsular
kingdom and the opening Of = way into
the heart Of France. With 5000. 900 be-
hind the firing line italy feels she can
hold the Germans and Austro -Hungar-
ians. Is
! What the allies particularly want OF
the United States Is that It shall act a.
Ipaymaster general and quartermaste,
general.
Want United States Buying Agent.
| During the conferences with the Brit
/ ish and French commissions, which will
begin within forty eight hours, the sug.
gestion will be made that the United
States government become the pur-
chasing agent for Great Britain, France
Italy, Russia and Belgium: that upon
the receipt Of orders 1t shall at once
place contracts. and when the goods are
obtained shall ship them to the country
I'm need.
In other words, the allied govern
Jnaents want 70 Iet rid OF the wastefu
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