AMERICAN PREPARATION

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

AMERICAN PREPARATION

President Wilson, in a statement on tha work of the United States War Department, said that tho department was performing a task ■of unparalleled magnitudo, and doing it with extraordinary promptness and efficiency; President Wilson informed a deputation of senators that America's overseas army would in Juno be twice, the size it was originally planned.. Air Baker, Secretary for War, states that tha United States Government's plans for sending a large army 'to Franco are undergoing constant development. . He would not discuss tho number of men in France, but ho said: "Wo have made substantial progress." Mr M'Adoo, Secretary of tho Treasury, said that tho United States Government is facing the necessity of raising ten billiori dollars before June. Mr M'Adoo announced that ha is definitely opposed to tho Government ownership of railroads, but the United Statei must spend a billion dollars in making tha railroads effective as a war agency. 3 P^ Mr Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, has asked Congress to double tho navy personnel; also to treble the number of naval fliers. It is announced that Holland has agreed to charter to the United States ISO Dutch ships held in American ports. Mr Baker, Secretary for War. announces that ho intends to address tha Senate Committee, giving details of America's war progress. It is officially announced that Mr E. J. Stettinius has been appointed Surveyorgeneral of all army purchases. Mr Stettinius has long been associated with tha J. P. Morgan firm. He completely controlled the allied purchases of war material in tho United States. He is now invested with new and sweeping powers, making him virtually munitions director. The War Council Bill (providing for threo consultants to act with the President) has been introduced in the Senate, despite President Wilson's objections. There is a consensus of opinion that owing to President Wilson's opposition the War Council Bill will bo defeated. PRO-GERMAN PLOTS. Seven United States Army Department warehouses and several municipal docks have been destroyed by fires of mysterious origin at an Atlantio port. Some storehouses (which happened to be empty) and the shipbuilding .plant were saved. German sympathisers have apparently launched a fire offensive, and extensive damage has been done in many cities> aggregating £1,000,000. Two Baltimore plants working on munitions* manufacture were burned. Six persons were killed and many mora were injured by an explosion in a torpedo works. ■ , The explosion at the 'torpedo manufactory at Newport killed eight men and injured seven. Two steamers at Atlantic ports are afire.President Wilson recently received an anonymous warning of a nation-wide plod to destroy docks and war plants in tha United States.