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Show I; SUPPLY MUNITIONS I AND CREDIT. How is the United States to pro-I pro-I ceed to take its part in the world's ji war. Here is an answer from an East- i era statesman: I "There is no alternative; we must co operate with the Allies, individual I action being impractical and inadvis- able. The most effective lines of co operation for the United States would be, (1) a suitable and active use of I our fleet, which ranks third in the world; (2) furnishing financial aid and munitions on a liberal scale; and (3) the preparation of such an arm as we may be able to create and util- ize before the conflict ends. In all probability, peace will be attained be- I fore we could make and transport an I army of any considerable strength across the Atlantic. The magnitude of such a task is not appreciated by those who glibly talk of sending over an army of a million men. Months would be required to train and equip them. Between two and three hundred hun-dred voyages would be necessary to carry them, and in addition, a great fleet of transports would be employed conveying munitions, food, etc. We could readily afford considerable help by the creation of a large mosquito fleet as protection against submarines, ' as well as by providing a large and thoroughly up to date aeroplane service. ser-vice. Probably the most efficient aid we could render the Allies would be in the continued making of munitions and in giving financial aid. We i might easily co-operate financially, If our government would lond its credit by agreeing to take a large block of foreign bonds, say a billion dollars, issuing is-suing our own in place thereof. Such a transaction would be eminently sound and safe to the investor, and would be a simple form of lending the credit of the United States for the purpose of bringing the war to an early conclusion." |