Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
WEAPONS MAY Be
PUT AT DISPOSAL
Of SHIPS OWNERS
WAY Will Be Found to Enable
Vessels to Resist Illegal
Attacks.
AMERICAN LINE MAKES
APPLICATION FOR GUNS
Navy Department Opposed, for Mill,
tary Reasons, to Conveying Mer.
chantmen Through Pro- /,
hibited Zone.

Within a few days the govern
ment will find a way whereby
American merchant vessels now
held in port by fear of German
submarines may arm themselves
and resume their sailings, it was
lntimated strongly today.
Strong intimations were given
in official quarters that, while the
government will not actually arm
merchant craft or even officially
advise arming, a way will be
found to put weapons at the dis
posal OF owners who desire to pre-
pare for defense against illegal at
tack.
T. A. S. Franklin. president of the In
ternational Mercantile Marine. today
made formal application to the Navy
Department for guns to arm the pas
senger liners of the American line.
has been unable to find guns elsewhere.
Would Prohibit Vessels Arming.
Senator La Toilette today introduced
a resolution to make it unlawful for
any merchant ship. in time of peace,
to depart armed from any port of tho
United States for any port in another
country. 1t was not debated, but the
Wisconsin senator asked that 1t lie on
the table subject to call for action by
the Senate.
1t is indicated that the Navy Depart
ment, while opposed for military rea-
sons to any project of conveying Amer
lean merchantmen through the pro-
ing such ships with guns for their own
defense. Inasmuch as the government
has recognized that naval stores are
the only supply Of naval guns. it has
that source does not alter the private
or commercial character Of a ship.
The Navy Department, it was stated
officially, has a considerable number OF
'ld-model three-inch to six-inch rifles.
available for arming merchant ships,
but not enough for the conversion OF
all ships it would require in time OF
war and also to furnish defensive arma.
ment for all merchantmen.
Question Of Supplying Gunners.
The question of supplying trained gun
crews for merchantmen Is more difficult
from a departmental point of view.
There is objection to withdrawing men
from the active service of the navy at
this time. and there is also some ques-
ton as to what effect such step would
have on the status of a ship. French
ship owners. furnished guns by their
navy. were required to make oath that
they were to be handled by civilian
crews.
The possibility that the navy might
supply guns indirectly. through loan or
sale to ship owners. has received some
consideration. but a preference for di-
rect action by the department in plac-
ing the guns aboard is indicated by the
ship owners.
The enforced idleness of the American
merchant fleet is being viewed with
growing disquiet. and the general view
here Is that not only the export trade.
but the nations standing before the world,
demands that American vessels continue
to ply the high seas without regard to the
German proclamation, which the govern
ment has repudiated with the most severe
means in its power short of war. As
much as possible it has been desired not
to take any action which might put the
United States in the position Of precip!-
tating hostilities
May Not Answer Last Note.
Nevertheless officials believe that 50
long as the government has repudiated
Germany's war zone and officially notified
American ship owners OF their right to
arm for self-protection. the owners should
be put in a position to exercise that right.
Officials today were still inclined to re.
gard the latest offer of Germany to dis
cuss means of preventing war, presented
through the Swiss minister Saturday,
only as an effort to cast on the United
States the appearance Of being bellig-
erent
The official attitude seemed to bs
that the United States and German
governments can have no diplomatic
dealings until Germany gives up her
program of unrestricted submarine
warfare. and that any other advances
meanwhile serve only to. becloud the
issue of American rights. 1t is not cer-
tain whether any answer will be made
to the suggestion
Officials noted with interest today
that the submarines toll of merchant
ships sunk yesterday had sunk to the
lowest level since the new campaign
was inaugurated.
---a- ~-yr arnY 70 IN --Y