SECOND EDITION The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1918. AMERICA'S WAR PREPARATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13753, 29 April 1918, Page 4

SECOND EDITION The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1918. AMERICA'S WAR PREPARATIONS

There is a great deal of information of a most interesting kind to be obtained from the trade circulars issued by shipping houses in the United States, which reflect very faithfully the conditions brought about by their entry into the war and the progressive changes in the internal condition of the country. On April sth, 1917, Messrs John Dunn, Son and Co., from whose circular we quote, says: "Notwithstanding an evident reluctance on the part of Washington authorities to admit the fact, the United States is actually at war with Germany." The explanation of this was that a few members of the Senate used the forms of the House to obstruct the passage of the "Armed Ship Bill," but we are told the President authorised the arming of merchant ships, although the special authority was not granted. On May 3rd, 1917, the circular says that the President's address to Congress demanding the declaration of war was acclaimed everywhere with relief. There was a feeling that it was just as well that he was so patient, but some fear that he might fail when the time came for action. At that time wooden steamers were in high favour, and it was contemplated that 1000 such boats of about 3000 tons each would be built. The wheat crop was below the average, and Government interference with business had not begun. By June Ist universal compulsory service had been introduced, and 500,000 men were to be put into training. The Government had been given authority to restrict exports, and as this had been done in a very comprehensive manner, it was feared that it might stop shipments to Australia and New Zealand. Already there yvere signs of trouble over the shipbuilding, the plans for which were reported to be developing slowly, and the contracts to be let for only a small percentage of the proposed ships. Railroad conditions were already giving trouble, and this factor persisted throughout the year. On June 29th we are advised that shipbuilding plans were not'developing as rapidly as was expected. About 200 ships had been contracted for —some wood, some steel, and some composite. The wooden ship idea was said not to work out well when reduced to detail, and the chances were that most of the new steamers would be built oi steel. The strain on the railroad service was stated to be heavy, and the Government demands interfering with trade, and already, before the first draft of men were in camp, there was anticipation of trouble from shortage of labour. On August Ist it is stated that business had shown a general slackening in July; not that manufacturing had slowed down, but that both buyers and sellers were unwilling to commit themselves, even at the extravagant prices then ruling, as the action which the Government proposed to take in fixing prices was not clear. The shipbuilding delays were again referred to, but it was stated that contracts had been let for 425 steamers, of which 348 were wood or composite, while contracts for a further 100 wooden ships were under negotiation. The Government were said to have plans for the consti/action of two shipbuilding plants to turn out 400 steel ships, and it was anticipated that delivery of vessels would begin in nine months, and be completed in two years. The first reference was made to the building of 20,000 aeroplanes at a cost of £640,000,000. On September 6 reference was again made to the trouble caused by uncertainty about the Government's action in the matter of flxing prices. The labour situation also caused uneasiness, owing to the German propaganda fomenting trouble. The first draft for the National Army was reported as about to go into camp in a short time; the delay being caused by the trouble in getting the camps ready. The railroad system was stated to be working more satisfactorily. On October 3rd the business situation was said to be much improved owing to the prices fixed by Government for copper and steel being published, and the prices were considered reasonable. Great activity was reported in the suppression of the German financial propaganda against the war. The I.W.W. were stated to have been one of the agencies employed by the Germans. The Steel Corporation were reported to have advanced wages about 10 per cent, for the fifth time since war began. On December sth railroads were again occupying attention; nothing could be carried but Government requisites; coal was badly needed before winter set in. The shipbuilding was said to be delayed by the difficulty in procuring requisite machinery, and even the preliminaries of the shipbuilding yards were not then settled. On December 2Gth the condition of transport was tragic, as a severe fall of snow had paralysed freight movement. There was talk of the Government taking over the management of the lines, which was regard- , ed as a calamity to be avoided if possible. The conditions became so bad that the Government decreed that January 19th to 23rd should be observed as a holiday, and that Monday in each week for the nine following weeks f-l ould be a holiday for all businesses except factories engaged on Government work. In practice it was found tint so many exemptions had to l)e made that the Monday holiday was but slightly observed. The conditions,

Jwwever, o\vin^ r to lack of coal, were so serious that trade and manufacturing were almost suspended. There were 200 stiips in New York harbour alone voting the delivery of hunker coal to enable theni to s=iil, and on February •■Hi the circular says that the general impression was that whatever happens, the railroads would never go back to pre-war conditions. On Marqh.lst the situation was said to l>e slowly recovering <*ing marked improvement in the weather. The ship-building was again

referred to, «nd the estimate that some

ships would he available in nm£ months fiom August 1 Was * mended to an estimate of 2,1)00,000, the end of the year. These reports, written in an eminently cool, businesslike style, give an excellent nummary of America's effort, 'it is obviciuis that the country is in very serious earnest over the war. At the same time her capacity to prepare for the business was not so great as many enthusiastic admirers supposed. Neither she nor Great Britain were organised for war, but the vast bulk and the loose-knit nature of the United States made the task more difficult for her than for the Old Country. At the same time we I must recognise the immensity of the effort she is making; aad when the armies of the United Gialcs, reinforced by squadrons of aeroplanes, and transported and provided by the new fleets take their place on the Western front, we may feci confident that the.end of this long-drawn-out tragedy is in sight.