The evening world., 1917-05-03
u BOAT MENACE
MAY FORCE SEIZURE
OF j. S. SH|PYARDS
Plot to Clog Them Seen in
Large Orders Placed Here
Since War Began.
By Samuel NJ. Williams.
IsTcciAl San Clrrsp1ndent q Ths EronIr
World

,spoc'al staff cous:ponaen, Of The ErOnins
WASHINGTON. May s.--Mcm-
bcrs OF the Presidents Ship
ping Board are frankly suspicious
that the large orders placed here for
slow-tlme construction OF merchant
( shipping for aliens after war was de-
clarcd were given for the purpose OF
clogging up American shipyards and
thereby preventing the carrying out
Of the Governments plan for build
ing hugo feet OF wooden cargo
steamers 20 overcome the submarine
menace.
To thwart such a plot the Presi-
dent may seize all tho shlpynrds and
all tho ships they have under con-
structlon.
The Administrations ship control
programme will go to. Congress this
week in bills giving the President di-
rect power n needed TO take over the
country's ships and shipyards. The
measures also would put into the
Presidents hands the power TO con.
troll facilities that compete with ship.
building. Their purpose is to give
the Executive authority 10 insure an
abundance OF materials for shipbuild-
ina. Bio building construction could
be suspended under the bills II nsees-
sary TO insure supplies Of steel to
keep shipysrds going.
Marshal Jonfre. personally, will
supervise the intensive training
the American soldiers will get
In the trench atmosphere" be-
hind the firing line before taxi
ing their places alongside the AL
lies nt the battle front The famous
French soldier has Informed War
Department officials that he will SEQ
that the best French officers are de-
tailed to instruct the American forces
in modern warfare, and he will take
charge OF This work himself.
When Marshal Joffre. who leaves
this afternoon with other members
OF the French war mission for tour
OF the Middle West. returns to Wash
lngton within n week. It IN believed
President Wilson will lay before him
complete plans for tho speedy de
spatch Of an American oxpeditlonary
force 10 the trenches In France.
/ The question OF sending American
troops depends entirely upon the pos.
sihility OF procuring sufficient ship.
ping facilities for their transport.
Marshal Joffre has suggested thn'
1000 men, tho number In Il French dt.
! vision, shall constitute tho first force
! ana that tho American organiza tlor
3 be amended 70 conform 10 the Frencl
. army system, which has dlscovere,
that 1900 men make an ideal division
At war strength, an American dlvi
sion. tho smallest self-contained unit
o composed of all fighting forces. sani
@ tary troops ana supply bodies. ha
e approximately $4,000 men. This Joffr
C would have reduced 10 1900 by sub
a dividing the divisions.
:. Tho Marshal also would have tn
American companies, tho smalles
administrative units In tho army
composed OF $50 men. with additions
=, subalterns, instead Of 15O. as now OF
= ganiEed a. war strength
: Tho United States will send 3Ot
= ambulances and 1900 doctors an
drivers to France. the Council of M
tionul Defense announced to-dn
The hrst OF the units OF twonty-tw
ambulances and military men wi
q leave within three weeks.
This Is in addition to the six med
] cal units totaling about 1000 medic
. men which will DO sent at once
Great Britain.
d Serious but not desperate. critic
but not hopeless, is tho British mi
sion view OF the submarine situatio
Without seeking to dispute q
H. gloomy outlook portrayed yostordi
% by American officials. tho Brito
!. stiffened their backs to-day al
a. passed word down The line for ever
To body TO Buck up and go at I
Is. Germans harder than ever