Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-12
ARM MERCHANTMEN
GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO Al.
TER PLANS UNTIL GERMANY
HAS WITHDRAWN ITS THREAT
OF RUTHLESS SUBMARINE WAR.
FARE.
BY JOHN EDWIN NEVIN.
International News Service STAFF
CORRESPONDENT.

BY JOHN EDWIN NEVlN.
International News Service STAFF
Correspondent.
Washington, Feb. 12.-The United
States stands squarely on the pollty
toward Germany which was outlined
to Congress by President Wilson. 1t
is prepared to defend its rights under
International law with its entire
strength should these rights be vic
lated by overt acts" on the part Of
Germany.
Administration officials, both at the
State Department and in Congress
made this plain today. No officiai
statement was forthcoming. None
will be unless the President Is con-
vinced that the attitude of the United
States is misunderstood by the ma.
tions of the world. But II was made
plain by the officials In best position
to know the facts that there has been
no change in policy and SO long as
Germany stands upon the letter Of her
announcement that unrestricted sub.
marine war was to be restored there
can be none.
Withdrawal of her orders to sink
without warning and a reversion back
to the policy Of cruiser warfare. IN.
cluding stoppage, warning and safe.
guarding of lives-alone would force
a change in the situation, officials say.
Inspired reports Of new diplomatic
moves which might change the situa-
tion are frowned on In official quar-
ters. It is felt that they muddle the
situation without affording the slight
est relief.
So long as American vessels and
American lives are In danger on the
high seas the administration will con-
tinue its plans to protect them. The
maintenance of the present status
quo described by Secretary of State
Lansing in his speech to the Amherst
Alumni on Saturday night as "omin-
GUS depends entirely on Germany.
II her submarines respect American
rights-and every one here, high and
low, devoutly hopes that she will
there will be no next step" But 1t
is violating no confidence to say that
the President has made it plain to his
cabinet and the members Of the for
eign relations committee of the Sen
ate that he will take the next step II
forced regardless of the fact that 1t
inevitably must lead to hostilities,
Before the end Of the week Ameri-
can merchant men will resume their
places on the high seas. They will be
armed IL present plans are carried out.
Methods for securing the needed arm.
ament are being worked out by the
Navy Department with the sanction OF
the State Department. Four inch ma
val guns, probably secured by the ves-
sci owners thru condemnation permit
tel by the Navy branch Of the govern
ment will be mounted astern on pas
senger carrying vessels and probably
also on freighters. These guns will be
for defense
Officials in declaring that the block
ade Of American shipping, in force
since the German submarine declara.
tion was made will be broken before
the end Of this week, also asserted
that in arming the vessels for defense
American shipowners will be abso-
lutely within their rights and will be
backed in that action by the entire
strength Of the United States.
Merchantmen Can't Arm.
Washington, D. G., Feb 1.-THE
most serious problem affecting the
United States today is how to get the
American merchant marine back on
the ocean. The holding up Of practi-
cally every American liner and freigh
er because of the danger of German
submarines admittedly is causing the
administration grave concern. Presl'
dent Wilson has talked over ways
and means with his close advisers but
so far without result The naval of.
ficials have set their faces squarely
against naval conveys on the ground
that they simply would increase the
danger They also have agreed that.
while the government inbists upon its
rights TO arm its merchant shipping
much armament should be secured
from private sources 1t is likely.
however. that this ruling will bo ching
ed at least in part II the officials on
the American line and the big oil
transit companies continue to insist
that they cannot buy weapons OF the
proper kind. 1t is expected here that
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