Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-12
U. s. '"Arnaed Force"
Will Guard Ships

Continued from rage One
forth soon into Germanys barred death
area.
United States inventors. including the
electrical wizard. Thomas A. Edison, are
irving to design methods of sheltering mer-
ehantmen from all German undersea boats.
The creature of their plans will be installed
on the armed vessels. provided they meet
with Government approval
What their plans are will be withheld for
military reasons. but it is known that a per-
tected smoke screen may be one means
employed British ships now use such a
device-artihcial smoke from chemicals
that hides vessel behind an impenetrable
screen.
Electric methods of detecting submarines.
improving upon the present mcrophone at
.achments, may be invented. But in keep
Ing with the Administrations plan of Sc
crecy no details Will be announced lest
German inventors he placed at work to
overcome the American advantage
The work of arm.ng merchantmen should
occupy only n few more days. and then
American commerce will be freed from the
bonds that have kept it shivering in Amer
lean harbors.
SAlLINGS KEPT SECRET
The first armed liner probably will leave
New York within n few days No report
Of Its departure will be forthcoming. II
will follow a course mapped out for 1t by
the Navy Department. And 1t. and all
vessels which follow, will act at all times
under a set of instructions prepared by the
s'ate and Navy Departments designed to
meet all possible emergencies.
Navy Department officials declared that
the voluntary censorship" asked for by
secretary Daniels had been misunderstood
throughout the country. There is no desire
Withhold news OF voyages, it was said.
or OF arrivals either in England or in the
united States. All that is requested is that
sailings be kept back 1t also has been
oroered that vessel officers shall not make
puoiic any details of the course they sail
Replying to assertions that all it requires
ior successful spy to keep track of sail
,ngs is that he visit the docks Of the various
llnes or Keep watch from shore points of
vantage Navy Department officials pointed
vut .hat the fact that steamship leaves
aoeK does not of necessity either mean
ha' sne VIII sal! right out to sea or that
s"e VIII proceed directly to her port of
SSes,ination by the. nearest route. With
vuins n.u9ns OF manifests and sailings. these ex-
Wenced ohcers say. will greatly increase
e probability of American vessels reach
e eier destinations unharmed
GERMANY's NEW MOVE
germany, 1t is known here, Is planning
w. e' offensive on the west front
ery soon. The withdrawal of troo,s h.-
icfe the British and French 4, dsc,sr.a h.
~ mhtary experts Of the United state.
'ae embassies here TO mean simpIy the
h'ening out Of the German rue.
vooa. MARSHAL von| Hindenburg is an ad-
wsr1 s.e OF open fighting instead of trench
ve,sra lie Is known to believe that, his
The Rri,,.n Loops are more than a match for
49, D,iush and French. Many officials here
~ aosoiutely certain that not later thar
ofsnsi.,oie fuuie OF next month the great German
AZ VIII nave been undertaken Thev
"sn,Ve peneVe here that 1t will come al a
pulssd 81, point and that IL 1t can be re-
oSCtne .u tne end of the war and the defeat
s,oermany will be in sight, while n n Is
an nhnu' submarine campaign the like
nwnch nr." mas only been imagined up "a ths
tatsn" ttr"' time Will Immediately be under.
M mat Is the German plan of camnaisn
nsn,, olneials 'c say. 1t is unlikely that Ger.
sh,nss VIII pay much attention to America n
until many more are actuaIlv On ths
vee.s man can be armed in the next Few
rohMiNG UNITED STATES ARMY
~ ta. a. connection officials point out tba,
shc,,S lure course Of the United States
must d war with Germany actually come
mer,, pend nas, on the outcome of this sum.
rn..,, nshting In France. II will he in,.
sossioie for the army of the Irr,.as
! w, anything for yearrat least :, First
rr,. iorce must be enlisted and than 4,
~ ~ pe trained. II is certain that II will
ulsrs possnle to withdraw any of the reg.
unts from the Mexican border 10 act a,
Th. ABOUT % which to build real army.
sn'as mexican situation is SO delicate tha,
n ,ne regulars must stay there. while
tirs absolutely necessary at the presen,
San tnat the forces on the Isthmus Of
"a, De Increased at once. This mean,
a., military operations. II the United
f,rsss enters the war, win have to be de.
Aroush or year. IL the British can wir
ssn In their coming offensive. as thew
< i,,..y .ey Will then there will be little 10,
4 ssu ss states army TO do. II the British
ene'r losses will cripple their strenrth
~ United states win be comnsIlsd a
W oQensive Neanvhils, II oourre