THE GREAT WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 15

THE GREAT WAR.

HEAYY FIGHTING IN THE AIR. SIE DOUGLAS HAM CEITICISED. SERIOUS BRITISH FOOD SHORTAGE. (By Cable.) Mr Baker stated to the Senate Committee that shipping was thecrux of the whole situation. The United States army was using British and French guns because it had been decided that in this way more shipping would foe available for the transport of American troops. The Allies bought guns in France, where the factories were bigger than were needed to meet the French army's requirements. America in January purchased 620 75's from France. By December America would be manufacturing 423 75's a month. Whereas Britain in three years had ordered ordnance and shells from America totalling 1 5 308,009,080d0i, the United States shell contracts in seven months exceed a billion dollars. Mr Baker added that 60 million shells had been ordered for the army abroad. He predicted the early entrance of the American troops into active fighting. It is estimated that the 32 camps in the States mentioned by Mr Baker represent 900,000 men.