UIT DE PERS.

8o3

Hearings on the army appropriation bill were ended yesterday by the House military committee with a discussion of the nation's preparedness for war by P>rig. Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chicf of staff.

"Constantly Improving," Says Scott.

Gen Scott told the committee the condition of the national defense is "constantly improving," and discussed at lenght the question of ammumtion supplies. Chairman Hay declared supplies on hand were rapidly "approximating the necessary reserve."

Representati ve Greene, of Vermont, quoted from the report of the fermer chief of-staff. Gen. Wotherspoon, a statement that "there is a senous deficiencv" in ammunition for seacoast defenses. Gen. Scott put into the record a table showing that there was on hand for twelve-inch mortars, 50 per cent; for sixteen-inch guns, 33 per cent; for fourteen-mch guns, 48 per cent; for twelve-inch guns, 48 per cent, and for ten-inch guns, 100 per cent of the necessary reserve ammunition.

Wotherspoon Was "Nervous."

"Gen. Wotherspoon must have been "nervous and excited" when he wrote that report," remarked Chairman Hay.

«Do you think these supplies are sufficiënt?" asked Representative Kahn.

"I think we should get on hand the amount projected as soon as possible," replied the chief-of-staff.

He added that at the present rate of appropnations it would take about four vears to complete the projected supply.

"What is our condition as to national defense as comparec with two, four, or six years ago?" askedj Representative McKenzie, of Illinois.

"It is constantly improving."

He Repeats Answer.

«What would you say as to the attitude of Congress toward the national defense?' Has it been derelict in its duty as to supplymg appropriations ?" , ,. , „ „

"The condition of things is constantly improving , replied Gen. Scott

Another resolution relating to military preparedness was mtroduced vesterdav by Representative Macdonald, of Michigan, who proposed to submit to referendum three national defensie policies, after mvestigation by a commission similar to that proposed by Representative Gardner

Maintenance of the present policy with an annual appropnation not exceeding 50 per cent of the government expenditures, until an international naval policy may be organized with other powers ; a PanAmerican naval police, provision for a military establishment equal

or superior to tnai 01 uie miuu^» a^^.^, — - - o .

foreign policy of the United States," are the policies which would be

submitted.

„The Times" 3 Maart 1915.

Admiralty, 3rd March, 1915-

The following despatch has been receivedfrom Vice-Admiral F. C. Doveton-Sturdee, K.C.B., CV.O., C.M.G., reporting the action off the Falkland Islands on Tuesday, the 8th of December, 1914- —