Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-13
WORLD NOTIFIED
OF j. S. DECISION
TO ARM VESSELS
Only Formal Step That Will
Precede Sailing of Craft
for War Zone.
OFFICIALS RETICENT
ABOUT ANY OF DETAILS S
Navy Department in Readiness
to Equip All Ships Whose
Owners So Desire.
PRESIDENT STILL IS HOpEFTt,
Contemplatcs No Further Stems Than
Necessary to Protect Amer
lean Rights.
PRESIDENT STILL is HOPEFUL
Contemplatcs No Further Stems Than
Necessary to Protect Amer
lean Rights.
rBy Associated a Press !


w ; II Nc I Q y. March l2.-The
United states government to-day took
'ne oniE formal step that will prccede
.he satlinE Tor the war zone OF Amer
icah merchant ships armed to resist
attacks by German submarines.
Notice to the world of the intention
20 place an armed guard on merchant
men was given in communication
sent by the state Department 10 all
embassies and legations in Washing
Ton. Ihe statement, which, it is as
sumed, will be transmitted to Germany
by the Swiss minister. follows:
In view of the announcement OF
the imperial German government on
January 81. 1917. that all ships. those
OF neutrals included. met with in GER
tain zones OF the high seas would he
sunk without any precaution being
taken for the safety OF the persons on
board. and without the exercise or
Visit and search. the government OF
the United States has determined IN
place upon all American merchant yes
sells sailing through the barred areas
an armed guard for the protection or
the vessels and the lives Of the per
sons on board"
"hether other neutral governments
VIII admit American armed ships IA
their ports is II question for them n
decide. but IT is not expected here that
objections VIII be made. Holland ia
'he only neutral known to have barred
armed merchantmen.
DEPARTMENTS MAINTAIN
POLICY OF SILENCE
state Department officials did not
wish TO make IL clear whether il was
mandatory for all American vessels ~
nave arms or whether they might sail
without them IL they so desired. pre-
Vlousiy the Navy Department. under
us poiicy OF silence as to such uues-
TONS, had also refused II ruling
me Navy Departments position IS
'na' " VIII equip with arms all ships
whose owners apply TO It,
Officials continued TO be rcticen,
DAY about the arminS OF ships and the
probable date the first would be roadv
to sail All such details aro ror,,raa,
us military secrets. In fact there is
a general disposition to avoid ,,iscuss
ing any phase Of the situation pending
the outcome Of the defiance OF the sub
marine menace by American vessels
with naval guns and eunners on boar,,
speculation continues as to the pnrt
the United States may play if forced
INTO actual hoStilitics by Germany 7,
o1hSlai charters the opinion Is very
clear that President Wilson, for the
present at least. is contemplating no
more direct connection with the Eu
ropcan war than is necessary TO pro-
tect American rights on the high sons
Prcpa arations for any evcntualitv arc
going forward. but the rresiden, is
known stiil to cling to the hope that
'hefc VIII be no actual clash between
Aher.cas armed merchantmen and
German submarines
The President. who has been con-
hned to his bed for several days by n
cold. was able to-day to discuss inter
national questions with Secretary Ian
sing. lie probably will be i'm his room
Tor day or two longer. however, and
the usuai Cabinet meeting morrow
Is expected to be Cancelled