Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-23
NAVY IS RUSHING
PREPARATIONS
Nations Great Resources
Being Modified With
All Possible Speed

Washington, d. c.. March 21-All
the resources of the United States, in.
dustrial as we'll as military are being
modified to place the nation in the
fullest state of readiness for any even.
tuality.
For the present the responsibility
rests with the navy, which is arming
American merchant ships, placing rush
orders for submarine chasers, spend
Ing $115,000,000 by special authority of
congress to hurry the naval construc-
ton already under way, advancing the
graduation of classes at Annapolis,
protecting American harbors against
invasion by German submarines and
marshaling the industrial resources
necessary to stand behind the fleet.
Plans for the army are not so fully
matured It is believed, however, that
President Wilson will recognize the
possibility Of the army's participation
in war when he addresses congress by
discussing the need of universal train
ing In tentative way plans for mar
shaling the full strength of the regu-
lar army, the national guard and the
raising Of volunteer army of 100000
men have been worked out in the army
war college.
The volunteer army Of 100000 is
planned as a nucleus Of what eventual
ly would be an army Of 100000 and
would be assembled in training camps.
BIq Plants Ready.
The mobilization Of industrial re-
sources has gone much further. Hun
dreds of great corporations, through
the efforts of the council of national
defense, have prepared themselves to
utilize their full efficiency in the de-
Tense of the nation.
Henry Ford, the Detroit automobile
manufacturer. has offered, and the
government has accepted, his great
plant to be operated without profit in
the event of war. Charles NJ. Schwab
has announced that his Bethlehem
plant, now greater than Krupps, will
be used entirely for the government.
The United States Steel corporation
and a hundred other great industrial
organizations have been making plans
for their participation. Yesterday the
great copper interests notified the gov
eminent that they would supply the
army and navy with their vital sup
plies of copper at about half the mar
ket price.
When the president addresses con-
gress he is expected to go into the de-
tails of the situation very fully, partic-
ularly as to how it affects the future
of the United States.
HUGE Sum to Be Granted.
While it is not known how much
money President Wilson may suggest
to congress as necessary to meet the
situation, leaders in the senate have
held the view that not less than $780,
900 900 should be granted at once in
case war is declared. 1t is not prob.
able that legislation giving such sum
would meet with any opposition.
Quite aside from the task of protect.
ing American lives and rights against
aggression on the high seas, the pres.
ident has considered the broader cues.
ton OF the preservation of civilization.
the distribution of world power after
the war, natural arrangement of the
worlds peoples in governments by
the consent Of the governed and an eff
fective league of nations to protect the
world against another cataclysm Of
war. The influence of the United !
States in the conferences which will
make peace is everywhere admitted
as not to be overestimated.
Allies Welcome U. S.
When the word that the president !
had summoned congress went through |,
the allied embassies this morning it |
was received with acclamation. There !
Is not a diplomat in the corps who does !
not believe that it means the entry Of
of the United States into the great ,
war, bringing its wealth, its armed
forces, it's great resources and it's NOR
al power to the side of the entente al !
lies, in what they feel is their battle /
for the preservation of civilization and |
democracy.