The Sentinel=record., 1917-02-06

Washington, Feb. War and navy department chiefs and employees, busy with plans for any military activity the nation may require, had interest in their tas heightened today by personal visit from President Wilson.
 Walking over from the White House the president appeared unannounced at the office of Secretary Daniels and after the conference dropped in on Secretary Baker.
 With Secretary Daniels he talked over the amendments 10 the naval ap- prop pration bill which the house s expected to pass tomorrow empower, ing the president 10 take over ship building plants, muuition works and other private agencies vital to the construction or operation of the navy in war times. The president described his vieit, Go Secretary Baker as
 routine He is understood to have been told just what the army is doing in the way of preparation.
 There was no change in the situa. tion at the war department so far as surface indications went. Demobiliza- ton of national guard regiments home from border service has not been in terrupted nor have orders gone out TO speed up the return of other guard units. There are indications, how ever. that the question of just what steps would follow declaration of war or a hostile act are being careful ly weighed.
 The most probable course of the administration, in the view cI many officials, would be to summon a volunteer force of half a million men and allow the decision as 10 passinF- to the universal service system to await the response to that call The war department has at hand a study of the steps necessary to oreaniz such a volunteer array, made at the time the situation on the Mexican border was acute. No officer believes voluntary service will supply force of the size the army general staff has repeatedly declared an adequate defense of the country requires.
 Various bureaus of both the war and navy departments are laying plans for swift action should a war emergency come Further messages from in diyiduals and corporations offering their services continued to flow into the departments Secretary Baker said generous response to the national need was coming from the business and personnel of the coun try"
 The navy department issued a list of prompt offers reaching Secretary Daniels
 In the effort to speed up naval con- struction a decision must first be reached as to what type of building is to be given preference. This Is purely military question founded on the probable nature of attack to be expected and defense that can be maintained Indications are that energy would be concentrated on Building submarines for coast defense work and submarine chasers for anti submarine patrol and escort duty It is even possible that construction of some heavy ships now building would be suspended temporarily ir order to release skilled labor for more urgent work.
 There were further intimatious to- day that general censorship leeisla- ton woLld he among the frs enact ments sought in the event of war. Increased precautions already have been taken by naval consors at radio rlants. The censorship was set up Tor neutrality purposes but now serves as d military measure.
 Secretary Daniels turned over today to Lieutenant Charles Belknop. lr" or The naval operations bureau tho work