AMERICAN PREPARATIONS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 16, 26 February 1918, Page 5

AMERICAN PREPARATIONS.

The basis underlying the American preparations is described as a recognition of the possibility of the war lasting three years and even longer. This recognition does not mean that the authorities believe in the possibility of the war lasting- three years, but to shorten the war Washington believes the best policy is to provide for a long war, and the measures already taken in the way of voting money, conscription, and supplies should be accepted as evidence of that belief. The American Government proposes to benefit as regards preparation, not only by America’s experience in past, wars, but by the experience of the allies in the present war, and it is not to be lured into lessened efforts at co-operation because of reports,, however well authenticated, that an internal, break is forecasted in the Central Empires owing to the marked growth of the spirit of democracy and also because the German army is short of men. Americans generally since the war started have east aside the evil spell of the German propagandists, and they are now convinced that the war is being fought, not only to make the world safe for democracy, but safe for the United States. So far the weakest point has been shipping, and to the shipping, programme, delayed as it has been by competing interests,; special attention is now being given. Reports indicate that German hopes, of any failure due to shortage of transport will »be crusliingly disappointed. The efforts made in Germany to represent the United States as hopelessly divided, and the pacificist utterances of Senator La Follette as typical of the country, have created illusive hopes for a time, and may have reacted upon Russia, but the Wilhemstrasse at least knows the truth, and the Central Empires cannot .be permanently hoodwinked.

A new scheme is under consideration for restricting tobacco manufacture, and an early decision is expected (writes a London correspondent under date of December 25th).. By it smokers may expect to be called upon to ration themselves, and the restrictions should apply to women as well as men. Certain popular brands can only now be sent from in-bond in standard parcels. These varieties cannot be made in sufficiently large quantities to fill the requirements of the authorities, and it has therefore become necessary to standardise the contents of gifts despatched duty free. During the past three years millions of cigarettes and tons of tobacco have been sent, duty free, to sailors and soldiers, but now, as the result of a large advance in the cost of producing tobacco, added to the high marine insurance, and the rise in the price of wrapping materials of all kinds, it has been found necessary to .raise the in-bond quotations of some of the brands. For some time very little tobacco has been coming’into the country. .The present consumption is about 80,000 tons a year. There is now less than a year’s supply in bond, and shipping facilities do not permit of more being imported.