Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-12

fered by private owners. Do far has the
organization Of the mosquito feet pro-
crossed that more than q score of bases
have been established along the Atlantic
and gulf coast. Secretary Daniels hopes
soon to have at least 5000 such patrol
boats In operation. Plans are ready to
private ship yards should oc-
casion require.
The army. whose great need u trained
men and ofiicsrs. 10 employing unusual
means to prepare for the organization and
training Of any force Congress may au-
thorize. Hundreds Of applications for
commissions In the oficers' reserve corps
are being accepted, ana for the grade Of
second lieutenant the bars have BEEN let
down to men who never have had military
training. Units Of the reserve olnoerr
training corps have been established In
could take commands have been designate
ed for commissions from every regiment
Of regulars. Graduation April % Of the
June class at West Point has been ordered
by Secretary Baker?
For increasing the enlisted strength, q
vigorous recruiting campaign 10 we'll un.
der way
EQUIPMENT FOR VAST ARMY.
With rifles ana other equipment for .
vast army already on had. enormous con-
tracts have been placed and the con.
tracts are elastic 90 that other millions
can he spent as soon a. appropriated.
Clothing manufacturers have united In
expediting the making Of uniforms a.
have other Industrial concerns IN provid.
ing quickly other necessary material.
Much Of the new equipment will 90 70
&f,> AY~A ~ "a -
eral Of all the States have been ordered
to prepare for quick mobilization Of the
State forces. For the nrst time the or
ganization Of small detached units Of this
branch Of tho military has been author
ICED for the benefit Of rural communities.
The plans for army expansion prepared
by the general staff are considered com-
plete in every detail, regardless Of what
| may be authorized. Universal service ID
the method favored. Machinery for q
volunteer army Of 10000 Of 100000 haa
been provided, however. for immediate
use should that method be chosen, OF
the star IL ready to 20 ahead - best
It can with the present regular and
National Guard system.
NATIONAL DErDNsE COUNCIL.
The work Of the national defense coun.
Gil in coordinating all defense measures
not strictly military or naval. has beer
regarded by officials a. quite as I'm
portant as any other task Of prepared
ness The council II composed Of q ma
1ority Of the cabinet members. and It ha,
an advisory commission Of seven leader
in the seven fields on which the natioy
would draw most heavily In war trans
portation. labor. munitions. nav ma
terials. medicine. supplies ana scienct
and research. Each Of the commissioner
has organised . committee TO take car
Of the preparations In . particular fsad
The resulting mobilization plan u sait
to b one Of the most conapSets worke<
out In any country.
Plans for the Forthcoming bond isSu,
we're said By all officials involved to b.
purely in a speculative position .
present. Indications are that the inter
est rate on whatever bonds are issuet
will not exceed 81 per cent. and may b.
as low as 8 per cent
The underwriting Of large proportion
Of the proposed bond issue BY privat
financial houses. while considered onl!
Informally. Is understood 70 be generall!
disapproved.