The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-03-13
No Tendency to Avoid Clash
With U-BOats Will
Be Shown.
xEN RESPONSIBLE
TO THE GOVERNMENT
Placing of Rifles Fore and
Aft on Foreign Craft
Now Sanctioned.

WAshiNGION, hdrcn lZ,-Ihk5 Gov
eminent to-day took the first formal
Sep In carrying out the decision Of the
President to arm America merchant
men. II gave formal notice to all ma
tons, excepting Germany, Of its de-
nmination TO defy Germany's illegal
submarine blockade by protecting its
Aips with guns and gunners Of the
United States navy. In the note de-
svered 1t refers to these ships az
shout to have ARMED guards"
The statement is this Government 3
sncial reply to Germany's announce
nent OF the barred zone decree under
ate Of January 81. 1t is brief and
uncompromising. There Is now no
sendency anywhere to avoid the conse-
eaences whatever they may be.
VIII Protect Lives.
Following Is the text Of the communi.
alton a. made public by the State De-
nftment:
'ln view OF the anaousesnsst Of ths
imperial Gsrnsn Goyerp1ent On J.s..
~ 81. 1879, SAat nll ships. those Of nep.
tails Included. met with IN certain ZONES
VI NE high seas, wouh bs sunk without
ny preeastioH beiag taken for the
niety OF the persons Ua board, AID with.
eut the exercise Of visit aad search, the
Government Of the Ualted states has
dssernined 10 place spon all American
serehant vessels sailing through the
Arred areas M armed guard for the
Protection of the vessels and the lives
d the persons on board"
The announcement quickly removed
u doubt as to whether the President
vas prepared to 90 to this length in de-
iending the nations rights on the seas
II caused sensation in diplomatic cir
ees and was at once flashed over the
onles to all parts OF the world. II leaves
no means of turning back In the face of
anticipated renewed German threats or
warnings. This Government Is now
plainly prepared to steer a straight
course In legitimate defence Of its rights.
AID Germany will be held responsible for
~ first hostile act resulting from the
meeting Of an armed American ship with
u.boat
Means Naval GunnePs.
The announcement that navy guns
md navy gunners were to be placed
aooard the ships was Put in the form
Of stating that IAN armed guard" would
- placed by the United States Govern
nent aboard all ships sailing through
ue barred zone, but Secretary Lansing
hade 1t clear that an armed guard
meant naval gunners. He said further
more that the armed guard" would be
responsible to the Navy Department and
not TO the master Of the ship. In other
words the United States Government
pas Itself taken over the means OF pro-
ee,ins American vessels and the lives
y the persons on board"
IN response TO questions as to whether
commissioned officers would be placed
tne large liners. or whether officers
would be in command Of the guns on all
saps Secretary Lansing replied that
nese matters Of detail were not under
me Jurisdiction Of his department Sec
NAry Daniels. to whom falls the re.
spohs'oility for supplying the officers
sho men as we'll as the guns, confined
himself to saying that the navy men
aboard the ships would be like police
nan on trolley car when a strike Ia
On In such a case the policeman Is re-
sponslole not to the conductor Of the
ear. but 10 the Mayor OF the city, Just
= the navy men defending the Ameri-
an merchantmen will be responsible to
United States Government.
Germany Vet I.fsrneA.
Germany was not oh,cially notified Of
@a Governments decision to arm It's
avs ard defend its rtghts because It II
ony'ng on no intercourse with Ger.
any II was transmitted to "ail for.
ssn missions" in Washington. but there
no German mission in Washington.
meially the United States 10 not In the
= concerned whether Germany learns
n II is. OF coursA. presumed that
- news will reach Berlin without dslsy
. = sne form OF press reports or through
sserst code messages sent BIZ the Ger.
",n agents in the United States.
IL was made plain that this Govern.
20. ~snt did not care whether Germany ap-
r0Ved or disapproved. or whether Ger
sshy wished to construe II as a warlike
vVe or an illegal act There 10 Just
~ possible statement from the Imperial
Imam Government which can now In.
su the United States officially. That
sAtement II, as Mr. Lansing clearly in.
sted to-day. that Germany has de-
ssec TO abandon her illegal submarine
nare and revert back TO the recog.
.sed practices Of International law a.
'~oocied In the Sussex pledge.
Guard for All ships.
me formal announcement that the
"overn ment has taken over the work Of
,s'y protecting American merchant
s IN the war zone has brought up q
49,. o' questions concerning the legal
'>'as OF such action. Chief amonR
~ conf'"ssd on ssoeHd Ps0s.