New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
Germany May
Declare War on
u. S. Before
Shot Is Fired
This Country Now in Position
Of Protecting Contraband
Trade by Force
World Notified Of
Armed Ship Policy
All American Vessels, In
Guiding Munition Carriers,
Will Have Naval Gunners
BY STEVENSON ii. EVANS

by > r. E.NSO-N III. IT. h.NC
Washington, March 12.-The be-
lief grew to-day that the German
government itself would declare war
against the United States before
shot was fired between an armed
American merchant vessel and
U-boat. That growing belief is
based upon what happened here
to-day.
In diplomatic circles the remark
able statement issued this morning
by Secretary Lansing is taken as a
practical declaration of state of
hostilities between the United States
and Germany. The world-the bel
ligerent as well as the neutral world
is formally notified that "the gov
ernment of the United States has de-
termined to place upon all American
merchant vessels sailing through the
barred areas an armed guard for the
protection of the vessels and the
lives of the persons on board
Merchant Ships Nationalized
In other words, naturalization Of the
American merchant marine was re-
vealed as the method by which armed
neutrality is to be maintained. The
American ships will sail into the Ger
man war zone not as mere armed
merchantmen" like those of the En-
tente countries, but under an EARNED
guard" Of Federal forces, acting as ma
val police.
Secretary Lansing's statement, sent
TO all embassies and legations, follows:
In view of the announcement of the
Imperial German government on jan
uary 81, 1917, that all ships, those of
neutrals included, met within certain
zones of the high seas would be
sunk without any precaution being
taken for the safety of the persons
on board and without the exercise of
visit and search, the government Of
the United States has determined TO
place upon all American merchant
vessels sailing through the barred
areas an armed guard for the protec
tion Of the vessels and the lives of
the persons on board.
The status of vessels sailing under
an armed guard will, in case of an en-
counter with a submarine, be entirely
different from that of ordinary armed
merchantmen. Up to the moment Of
the encounter they will be private
ships. But the naval guns will be COM
manded by Federal officers. not con-
trolled by the ships master, as was
originally intended. and the moment ac-
tion begins the ship will be in charge
of the American government.
Plan Worked Out by Wilson
The armed guard plan was worked
out by President Wilson himself and
was discussed with Secretary Lansing
this morning. Immediately afterward
Mr.. Lansing sent the message to the
dinlomats. There was no effort to
notify Germany of the decision, but 1t
is assumed that the Swiss government
will do so.
An attack on a vessel bearing an
armed guard will oe virtually equiva-
lent to an attack on a conveyed vessel
or a warship. IN the view of diplomats
here. ir will be repelled. not by pri-
vate parties, but by the armed forces
of the United States.
The declaration OF January 81,
which Mr.. Lansing cites as justification
for the measure. entities the United
States. il is declared, 10 resist every
approach of a submarine, as Germany
har announced that the formality OF
visit and search and of saving the nom
combatants has been dispensed with.
Every submarine sighted, therefore,
NAV be assumed TO be intending unlaw-
full and murderous attack, in accord
ance with the announced German pro-
gramme, and may be sunk without
formality.