The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-03-10
WILSON DECIDES
TOARM AMERICAN
MERCHANT SHIPS
President Is Advised That He Has
Power to Act in
Matter.
READY TO SEIZE WAR PLANTS
Secretary Daniels Announced That He
Would Use the Powers Granted
Under the New Naval Bill II
1t Became Necessary.

! Washington, March 8. American
merchant ships are to be armed by the
United States government and sent on
their voyage to the ports of the seven
seas regardless of submarines, "barred
zones" and other obstacles which the
war has placed In the path of Ameri-
can commerce.
President Wilson definitely decided
on this step. Fortified with the opin-
| ion of Attorney General Gregory that
| he has the authority to make such a
move, with the approval of admins
tration supporters in congress, and the
legal advisers Of the government, the
president is convinced that he is act
ing within his rights, even though the
congressional approval which he
sought before the death Of the Sixty
fourth congress was withheld.
President Has Power.
The president, 1t became known on
highest authority, has been told he
has the power to do this. ...-
Immediately the order Is issued,
Secretary Daniels will instruct COM
mandants Of navy yards at Boston,
Philadelphia and other points to issue
the guns they have available,
In the meantime arrangements for
additional armament will be rushed
to completion.
The presidents decision was
reached shortly after conference at
the White House with senator's.
Secretary Lansing was called to
the White House to see the president
just before the departure of the SEN
ators. The conference also was at
tended by Secretary McAdoo. 1t con-
tinued for more than an hour.
Some of the administration officials
were urging on President Wilson their
view that he legally may arm mer-
chant ships without awaiting express
authority which congress might give
If called in special session. They ar
gued that the old law passed in 1919
forbidding a merchantmen to fire on
"a public armed vessel Of a nation in
amity with the United States" would
not apply to the present situation.
The president heard these views
with keen interest, and indicated that
he is seeking some legal means Of act
ing promptly, but would prefer con-
gressional approval.
President Wilson expressed In force
full language his disappointment over
the senate's failure to pass his armed
neutrality bill, in an informal talk at
a White House luncheon to the men,
bers of the Democratic national COM
mittee.
The underlying principles of democ-
racy were declared by Mr.. Wilson as
the only principles ON which govern
ments can endure and on which per-
manent world peace can be main
tanned. He said the consent of the
governed must be behind govern
ments. The president referred to the
condition of Alsace-Lorraine as typi-
cal Of causes of war which must be
avoided.
Ready to Seize Yards.
The government will seize private
shipyards if survey of building fa-
cilities does not show that the build
ing Of warships can be speeded up un-
der present conditions.
Secretary Daniels announced that
he would use the powers granted un-
der the new naval bill if it became
necessary.
The secretary reached this decision
after comforting with representative
of large shipbuilding companies.
Daniels also discussed the question
Of labor with Secretary of Labor Will
son and Samuel Gompdrs, president of
the American Federation of Labor.
The power to commander yards can
be exercised by proclamation of the
president In time of war or national
emergency.