The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-03-12
VOL. XLVlII
President Gives Orders for Aiming
American Ships Against Ger
man Submarine Warfare
EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS
CALLED TO MEET APRIL 16
Natural and Unavoidable .Step-Is-
sue Rests Entirely With Germany
n.n,,n4ol

Natural and Unavoidable Step-Is-
sue Rests Entirely With Germany
Washington Dispatch, March g..
President Wilson from sick bed
today ordered the arming of Ameri-
can merchant ships against Ger
many's ruthless submarine warfare,
and at the same time issued proc-
lamation calling an extra session Of
Congress to meet April 18th.
The Presidents decision came sud-
denly late this afternoon, following
the action of the Senate yesterday !
in revising its rules to permit prompt
action on important questions and
the submission of formal opinions by
Secretary Lansing and Attorney Cen
eral Gregory that he has the power
to arm merchantmen without action
by Congress.
Details of the governments arm
ed neutrality plans for defending the
merchant marine were withheld to
avoid endangering Americans and
their ships by permitting the infor-
nation to reach Germany. The only
statement at the White House and
the Navy Department was that the
President had determined to fully
protect American rights.
An Unavoidable Step
The decision, coming at the end of
a period of tense waiting, was gen.
orally hailed as the natural and un-
avoi1able step in the policy adopted
by the President when he broke off
relations with Germany and gave
warning that the United States could
not tolerate attacks lon American
oit IN, al of
ternational law.
Fraught with the grave possibility
of war with Germany, the action was
taken by President Wilson only af-
ter he was convinced that Germany
actually was proceeding with her
campaign of ruthlessness, and hac
made efforts to plot with Mexico anc
Japan against the territorial integ
rity of the United States.
Long before the order was giver
from the White House all necessary
preparations for the armino of mer.
chantmen had been completed at the
Navy Department. Secretary Dan
iels, however, issued an appeal tt
the press of the nation to refrair
from discussing these preparations
The Presidents action sent thrill
through the Senate, meeting in spec
ial session, and through the govern
ment departments. Still hoping tina
war with Germany will be avoided
officials and Senators declared tina
the issue rests entirely with Ger
many.
In deciding that he has power t.
arm merchantmen, the President too
the position that an old statute pass
ed in 1919, cited in the Senate de
bate as prohibiting such step with
out congressional action, has no ap
plication to the present situation. H
is satisfied that the nation stand
behind him, and accepts the over
whelming vote in the House on tn
armed neutrality bill, and the know
opinion of a large majority of tn
Senate, as proof of the attitude G
Congress.
Although the bill which failed c
passage in the Senate provided fC
a bond issue Of $100,000,O00 to pa
the expenses of armed neutrality
the government has sufficient MOI
ey available for it's immediate pul
poses. Congress will be asked
provide more when the extra sessio
convenes.
Under a bill passed during the la
days of the Congress the funds ;
the disposal of the Federal war rls
bureau to insure American ships W.
increased to $15,O00,000.
Expected to Remove Blockade
Armed neutrality is expected
remove the practical blockade
American ports and place the iss'
of eventual war squarely upon &c
many. An attack upon an arm
American vessel will precipitate
fight if the ship gets in sight OF t
submarine and an unwarned alta
would be regarded by the Unit
States as an act of war.
LUMBER BROKER DISAPPEAR