The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-02-01
SUBS WILL WAR
ON ARMED Ships
WASHINGTON AWAITS WARNING
TO AMERICANS.
GERMANY PAVING THE WAY
The Armed Ship Question is Cause
Germans Hold That Even One
Gun On Deck Makes Such
Vessel An Armed Ship.

| Washington, ID. c., Jan. 31.--Infor-
nation has reached here that Germa-
ny and her allies are considering
communicating to the state depart
ment virtual warning that Ameri-
cans should keep off of armed mer-
chant ships of belligerent nations.
This became known following the
intimation in official circles that the
United States might issue soon a new
memorandum, setting forth it's atti-
tude toward armed merchantmen.
1t is not known just when or in
what manner the warning may be-
conveyed, but Germany apparently
has been paving the way for such a
step several weeks past by submit
ting to the state department series
of statements alleging specific in
stances in which the merchant craft
Of the entente powers have been used
Extensively against submarine guns
carried ostensibly for defense
The armed ship question, an I'M
solved problem throughout all the
negotiations over submarine warfare,
is involved in practically all of the
cases now pending between the Unit
ed States and Germany and over
which an admittedly grave situation
will eventually have to be faced.
officials of the American govern
ment. however, have adopted wait
ing attitude, during discussion of
moves for peace, and still believe that
the submarine issue will not be forced
to conclusion, as long as there is
possibility OF tangible developments
toward peace.
Britain Hats New Plan.
London, Jan. 31.-The Times says
that it is authorized to state that
Great Britain, for the time being, Will
not arm merchant ships fore and aft
as a protection against German sub
marines.
This decision was reached, it Is I'M
derstOOd, in order to give the foreign
Office time to carry on further negoti-
ations with the United States on the
subject.
The exceedingly heavy toll of allied
and neutral ships, with prospects of
even greater losses before the situa-
ton improves, has aroused the nation,
and the announcement in the Times
caused considerable of sensation.
There are earnest demands from all
sections of the United Kingdom that
the Lloyd George government take I'M
mediate steps to put an end to the
U-boat menace, for, with the deletion
of tonnage, food is becoming scarcer
and prices are going higher.
Subject of War Council.
1t is possible that the question Of
arming merchant ships with guns for
ward, as well as astern will be dis
cusscd at the allied council of war
which has assembled in Petrograd.
Whatever action England takes in this
direction will be taken with the sane
ton of her allies, for the matter is too
Important FOR England to act alone.
Great Britain is taking such action
MS she can, outside of the double arm
| Ing of merchant ships, to minimize
| the U-boat menace. The danger zone
in the North sea has been extended
with new mine fields, which are being
stretched everywhere possible to pre-
vent the, passage of the undersea foe.
May Change Sea Laws.
In the meantime, representations
are being exchanged with Washington
on the armed merchant ship question.
| According to the old sea laws, mer-
chant ship armed fore and aft would
! come under the class of auxiliary
| cruisers, but the contention Is made
that the introduction of submarine
warfare ON an extensive scale has
made it necessary to re-arrange the
laws of the sea.
At the same time Sir Joseph Mac
Lay, the new controller of British ship
ping, has under consideration the ma
tlonalization of liner service and de-
cision ON this question is expected
| Snnn