The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1918-01-10
House Mission Believes
U. S. May e Victor

Washington, Jan. 4.-Members of
the House mission believe the United
States and the allies in 1918 can lay
a firm foundation for victory.
But they hold out no hopes-so far
as the military situation now appears
that the war will actually end in
less than two years.
Political or psychological elements
may bring quicker collapse, they
say, but experts declare the nations
at war must proceed with two or
three year fight in mind and lay their
plans for even longer struggle to be
on the safe side.
Future Looks Hopeful
While some of the mission impress
sions were gathered under pessimistic
circumstances, the general tone of
their deductions as to the future is
hopeful.
They believe too much emphasis
cannot be laid on the need of unity
Of action and purpose and above all
on speed.
To this end much thought is being
given to ways, and means for increas-
ing Americas fighting contingents.
All this depends on ships.
Troops on Every Ship
One of the first plans considered is
to stow some troops on every ship;
tramp, tanker or what not-crossing
the war zone. While the addition
would not be enormous, perhaps 1000
month, it would help some, authori-
ties say.
The war department, however, re-
jected this plan. Now there is talk of
getting additional allied shipping
through pooling arrangements, though
it is doubtful that such help can come
from this source until U-boat losses
decrease and ships increase.
Training is Rapid
Secretary Baker said today training
Of troops is proceeding as speedily as
possible. And he pointed out this
speeding process has been strength
ened by appointment of General Nor
rlson as military training director and
by giving all division commanders an
opportunity to see foreign training
and fighting for themselves.
Whether or not the number of
months training on this side can be
reduced materially will depend wholly
on the ship situation.
Other visible aspects of the gearing
up process are:
.--Creation of war council, which
Baker declares is the very top of the
war department..
disappointment Of new chiefs to
handle the administration of vital
war work IN the coast artillery, ord
nance and quartermaster branches.
3-Reorganization Of the ordnance
bureau to strengthen it's administra-
tive power, lessen red tape and de-
lay.
"A process Of change within the
quartermaster branch, now proceed
ing, whereby General Goethals as ad-
mlnistrator will have men of power
and ability under him.
Meantime Senator Chamberlain
proposes passage of bill creating the
secretaryship of munitions. The ad-
mlnlstratlon sees no necessity for
such & post now and feels that it's
present reorganization will meet the
needs OF a red tapeless unity and
speed.
Other vital reorganization plans are
IN the making in the legislation now
being considered by the war council.
The congressional probe, plus the
House mission recommendations, have
gone far toward putting punch and
a. purpose into war work. Less lag
glng is in prospect, authorities agree
This is well, they add, for 1918 is
destined to SEQ Soma Of tho h1oo1ios+
lighting of the whole struggle.
President Wilson as we'll as military
men says the vital decisions appear
likely to come in that period, al
though probably the knockout cannot
be delivered until later.
Miss Eraco a..on lof4 Co4.l