Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-07
DEFIANT OF SUBSEAS
VESSELS ARE TO GET GUNS AND
THEN BE DISPATCHED TO SEW
VEN SEAS UPON THEIR PEACE
Full MiSslONs.
By JOHN EDWIN NEVIN.
International News Service Staff
COrreSpOndent.l


Washington. March American
merchantships are to be armed by the
United States government and sent
on their voyages to the parts of the
seven seas regardless OF submarines,
barred zones" and other obstacles
which the war has placed in the path
Of American commerce.
President Wilson definitely decided
on this step today Fortified with
the opinion of the Attorney General
that he has the authority to make such
move, with the approval OF the ad-
ininistration supporters, in congress
and the legal advisers of the govern.
ment the president is convinced that
he is acting within his rights even
tho the congressional approval which
he sought before the death of the sixty
fourth congress was withheld.
The president called to the White
House this morning, six Democratic
senators who have been active in be-
half of administration measures
Owen, of Oklahoma; Walsh, of Mont
Swanson, of Virginia; Smith. of Ca;
Reed Of Mo-: and James of Ky
and informed them of his decision. He
also took up with them and approved
the proposition of changing the
senate rules toward d niodiHAd fD| i
of cloture which will hereafter \pre.
vent any Little Group OF wllful
men" from holding UP legislation vi.
tality affecting the nation.
With the presidents decision to arm
merchant vessels, the break with Aus.
tria. which looked to be temporarily
averted by the Conciliatory tone OF the
latest Austrian note, again becomes
imminent
The Austrian government fatty stat
ed that it considered the arming of
American vessels in direct constradic-
tiOn to international law and declared
in effect that its submarines would
feel at perfect liberty to sink them.
Should it do this, diplomatic break
could not be ayerted.
Following the White House CON
ference with the Senators, Secretary
OF state Lansing was summoned TO
the executive mansion and remained
closeted with the president for almost
an hour. The two canvassed the sit.
uation thoroly Every eyentuality
which the move may bring forward
was gone over.
1t was said in administration circles
today that published statement will
soon be issued, setting forth the ex.
act position of the government in
aiming its merchant vessels
No Break With Austria.
Washington, Mar There win bt
no diplomatic break with Austria a
present unless the submarines Of til,
dual monarchy force the hand OF Pres
ident Wilson by some overt act il
which American lives are endangered
This was stated authoritatively toda,
after officials had digested the repl
Of the Austrian government to thi
governments inquiry concerning he
attitude on the submarine warfare a
conducted by Germany.
The note, which was before Pres
dent Wilson today. Is most concii,
tory in tone. Officials realize tina
the position of the Austrian govern
ment is very delicate. She must, o
one hand, endorse the stand OF Ge
; many, and at the same time do 1t /
such a manner as not TO offend tn
United States to the extent Of a dil
lomatic rupture.
The one point on which the Nv
governments are in fiat discord is the
Of the arming of Austrian merchar
! vessels
THE Austro.Hungarian govern
ment is OF the opinion that the arm
ing of merchant vessels, even solel
for defense, is not established by il
y ternationa law. They are to be r,
garded as pirate vessels which ma
u be destroyed
~ This paragraph from the Austria
ID reply may prove a stumbling block
4 the path Of future good relation
y President Wilson believes the right {
s. this government to arm Its merchal
O. vessels Is beyond question in view I
fxisting conditions and II is eertai
" that he will 80 ahead regardless
" the Austrian opinion, as to It's lega
lr ity. II the Austro-lungarlan COVER
ment backs up its opinion 50 far
to sink an American vessel so equi