New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-10
Navy Takes Immediate
Steps to Put Guns on
u. S. Vessels
Congress Summoned
To Meet on April is
Attack on Liner with De-
fensive Weapons May
Precipitate War
Washington, March ..

President Wilson, feeling certain
that he has the moral if not the ac-
tual support of Congress and con-
WINGED that his power is complete, is
sued from his sick bed to-day the
long expected order for the arming
OF American merchantmen, and the
Navy Department has begun the
execution of that order. The Presi-
dent also called a special session OF
the 65th Congress to convene on
April l6.
The following explanatory state
ment was issued from the White
House:
Secretary Tumulty stated in
connection with the Presidents
call for an extra session of Con-
gress that the President is con-
vinced that he has the power to
arm American merchant ships,
and is free TO exercise it at once.
But so much necessary legisla-
tion is pressing for consideration
that he is convinced that il is for
the best interests Of the country
to have an early session of the
65th Congress, whose support he
will also need in all matters col
lateral to the defence Of our
merchant marine.
The order to the Navy Department
followed Immediately. 1t was learned
definitely that some American mer-
chant ships sailing for the subma'
rine zone would be armed by the gov
ernment at once. Preliminary ar.
rangements have beer completed, and
if is expected that vessels will be
ready to sail in the near future.
Mr.. Wilson has the backing Of the
entire Cabinet in taking the step
Guns for arming merchantmen have
been assembled at navy yards along
the Atlantic Coast and everything il
ready to carry out the policy an.
Lounced by the President.
There is a decided feeling here in
Administration and diplomatic cir.
cles that the government and people
of the United States now enter upon
2 new phase in their relations to the
great war.
Signs Orders in Sick Bed
The Presidents action sent thrill
through the Senate. meeting in specisl
session, and through the government
departments. Still hoping that war with
Germany will be avoided, officials snc
Senator's declared that the issue restec
entirely with Germany
The President signed the proclsma.
ton calling the extra session Of Con
gress. and authorized the publication Of
the explanatory statement, with Secre.
tary Tumulty standing at his bedside
A severe cold has kept him from seeing
callers for three days. and he was put
TO bed by his physician yesterday.
Details Of the governments armed
neutrality plans for defending the mer.
chant marine were withheld 10 avoid
endangering Americans and their ships
by permitting the information TO reach
Germany. The only further statement
AT the White House and the Navy De.
partment was that the President was
determined 70 fully protect American
rights.
An attack upon an armed American
vessel will precipitate a fight II the
ship gets sight Of the submarine, and
an unwarned attack would be regarded
by the United States as an act of war
Germany and Austria both have de-
clared armed merchantmen war YES
sells. These declarations we're based
largely, however. upon the charge thai
British merchant ships used their ar
mament Extensively, and il remains IA
be seen whether Germany will so class
and treat American craft with defen'
sive arms.
Hold Such Vessels Warships
The whole Of German press comment
and unofficial utterances since the Ques'
tion was raised in this country has in.
dicated the conviction that any armed
vessel should be considered hostile and
sunk in the same way as q belligeren'
war vessel. There has been no oficisl
expression on the subject.
The effect Of Americas action upor
other neutral nations will be awaited
with keen interest. Vessels of those
countries. too. who have been heading
TO port through terror of the Germar
menace.
The throttling OF neutral shipping
both British and German experts hav'
stated 10 be the most serious result oi
the German campaign TO date. and q
have exceeded in effects the sctus