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202 take us to drive out the Germans is one not of patriotism but of mechanics. If I could tell you, offhand, Mr. President, how long it would take to build, equip, and man the factories necessary to manufacture the rifles, field-guns, powder, uniforms, and tentage for an army of one million, or two, three, or four million men, as the case might be, I could tell you how long it would be before we were ready to drive the enemy from our lost territory.

"At a rough guess, I should say that it would be not less than two and a half years, and if he developed his full military strength, it might be five or six."

The Chief of Staff paused, swept his glance over the Cabinet, and resumed:

"If I may be allowed to state what seems to me to be the wise course, the truly patriotic course, in this crisis"

"Certainly," said the President.