The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-02-27
ENGLAND'S PREPAREDNESS

In view of the present precarious
state of the United States in regard
to the difficulties with Germany, and
the utter unprepared state of this coun-
try when diplomatic relations were sew
cred, though great strides have already
been made in that particular during the
past few weeks, it may be well to give
an epitome of what this country may
have to face should she be brought into
the world war as one Of the belligerents
and there is no better authority than
Mr.. Urban H. Broughton who was for
merly associated in this country with
the Amalgamated Copper Company,
but who is now a member Of parlia-
ment in the British House Of Commons.
He has published a book addressed
to his friends in the United States in
reply to suggestion that Great Britain
is not doing her full share in the catas-
trophe that has overtaken Europe. In
it he states some things England has
y
for her to become a military state.
He notes that, including 468,218 ter
ritorials and reserves (Which comedies
with our national guard, that her to-
tai military forces were only III, 575
men. Yet twelve days after the out
break Of the war the greater part of
the expeditionary force of 100000 men
was in France and the remainder short
ly afterwards.
She has swept the German mercan-
tile marine-5, 100000 tons-from the
from the face Of the seas. Her navy
is today infinitely more powerful than
at the commencement Of the war.
Whatever else may happen in this war,
one thing is certain-the supremacy of
the seas will not be wrested from Great
Britain.
British experts determined that the
Zeppelin type Of aircraft had no mill
tary value. Adequate defences against
Zeppelins were at first lacking, but now
England has "innumerable stations TT
ted with special guns and powerful
searchlights and night flying ma
chimes $50 that Zeppelinns can no lon
ger visit England with impunity.
Great Britain early in the war gain
ed supremacy over the adversary in the
air and has maintained it. Compara-
lively few enemy aeroplanes are now
over the British lines, while British
pilots are constantly over the enemy
lines, which results in effective artil-
lery work
Prior to the war Great Britain serv-
ed the needs Of 100000 men of her land
force with three munition factories. A
ministry Of munitions was formed in
fifteen months, with staff of five thou
sand persons and control of expendi-
lures totaling over $5,O0O,OO0 day.
There are now 95 national factories
producing for the land service, and
| 4,319 firms controlled by this ministry
have munitions contracts. By June of
this year the ministry will employ more
than 100000 persons 900 of them
women-and secured release of 45.O0C
skilled men from the army for mum
tions factory work. Women now work
on 500 munition processes, two thirds
Of which have never been performed
by female labor.
The output which in 1914-1915 il
took IL months to produce, can now be
attained from home sources in the fol
lowing periods
For 18pounder ammunition. in thre,
weeks.
! For field howitzer ammunition, in two
weeks.
For medium sized shell, in IL DAYS.
For heavy shell, in four days.
The total number Of machine GUN
III existence Is months ago can now b.
produced in from three to four weeks a
present rate Of output. Production O.
high explosives is Sc times as large a
at the beginning Of 1915. Besides, Eng
land sends $3O,OOO,O 900 of metals, larc
quantities Of explosive materials, mil