New-York tribune., 1918-06-14
High Cabinet Officers Ex'
pected Soon to Meet
i'm Paris
Will Decide Details
Of Munitions Body
Organization viii! Prevent
Duplication and Unin-
telligent Manufacture
By c. w. Gilbert

WASHINGTON, June 13.-A general
inter-Allied council is likely to be held
in Paris in the near future preceding
the formation of the proposed Inter.
Allied Munitions Board. At this coun.
Gil the whole subject of war supplies
will be discussed and the organization
of the permanent Munitions Board ef-
fected. This will afford an opportunity
to agree on the details OF the organ
ization
The details proposed by the Allies
have only just reached this country by
cable and are being discussed by the
American government. Up to this time,
it was learned to-day, the Administra-
tion has not agreed to the Allies sug-
gestion of a central munitions organ
izatlon, but it is confidently expected
by Allied diplomats here that it will
do so, since this country mas taken a
leading, part in promoting Allied unity.
single control of war supplies is q
necessary complement to a single com
mand of the Allied armies
The council which will precede the
formation of a Central Munitions
Board will probably be attended by
leading members OF the American Ad-
minlstration, as it will also be by mem
bers of the British, French and Italian
Cabinets. AS the Administration has
not decided yet in favor of Central
Munitions Board. naturally the per-
sonnel of the delegation which will go
to Europe to organize it has not
been selected. But it is reported that
If the decision of the Administration
is favorable some or all of the follow
ing important members of the Admin
lstratlon will go to Europe: Secretary
McAdoo, Secretary Daniels or Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt, B. M. Baruch,
chairman of the War Industries Board:
Secretary Baker or Assistant Secretary
Stettnius, Food Administrator Hoover
and Chairman Hurley of the Shipping
Board.
Mistake Made at Versailles
When the last International Council
on Materiel was held at Versailles the
mistake was made of sending only one
man OF general reputation. Colonel
House, to represent this country.
The men who accompanied him were
virtually unknown abroad. Their
authority was only secondary. Conse-
guentiy, the influence of the United
States at the council and at the con-
ferences which attended it was weak
cned. The selection of these men to
represent this country was severely
criticised here, especially in the United
States Senate.
The error on that occasion is cer-
tainly not going to be repeated now
The men who go will be of Cabinet
rank for the most part or the heads of
'he new war administrations, or men
who, like Mr.. Stettinius and Mr.. Roose
Veit, nave recognition and standing
abroad. They will stay long enough to
get the new board organized, after
which they will be replaced by repre-
sentatives.
The council which will precede the
formation of the new board will prob
anly De held in Paris, where it may be
accompanied by meeting Of the Yer
tunity for thorough discussion Of the
war in all its aspects.
Paris May Be Headquarters
When the new Munitions Board is or
ganized it will probably make Paris
rather than London, its headnnartars'
1t will do SO because Paris is nract;-
cally the headquarters of the unified
army command. of the Allied General
stan and usually the meeting placa ~
the Versailles council. Paris is. more
over, convenient. 1t is nearer the front
man London, and more intelligent ac-
ton Is possible there than at a more re-
mote capital.
The great object of a single control
OF munitions is to prevent duplication
ana unlntelllgent manufacture. A rem
resentative of one of the Allied powers
said to-day: f"oA'
with each of us manufacturing sen.
arateiy, we make enough of some kinds
OF munitions to last century and not
enough of some other kind to 90
around" w ~
i, That kind of manufacturing causes
me wasteful use of shipping. There
now is only one front, one army. ono
nigh command, and so there must he
ohly one pool of munitions. That is
the aim in view. nav 40