The Sentinel=record., 1917-03-10

Washington. March 9.-President Wilson rom e sick bed today ordered the arming of American merchant ships against Gemany's ruthless 5- marine warfare, and at the same time issued a proclamation calling an extra session CT congress to meet April lG.
 The pre.idents decision came ssd. denly ate this afternoon following tts acton of the senate Yesterday in re. vising its rules to permit prompt ac. ton on important questions and the submission of form33 opinions ly Sec. retaly Lansing and Attorney General Gregory that he has the power to arm merchantmen without action by con. gross.
 Details Of the governments armed neutrality plans for defending the merchant marines were withheld ,o avoid endangering Americans anl Their ships by permitting the normi- ticn reaching Germany The only sta 9mcnt al the white house and at the navy depa tnent was hat th, presidea, had determined 10 fuIy pr- tect American rights
 Tbc decision, coming at the end o. a 3l71t period Of ten Q waiting. was genera ly hailed as the ult ra. anl unavoidable next step in the uolio, adopttd hy the president when he hr. ko of diplomatic relatous win Germany and gave warning tH1t the United States could not toleraoe ot tacks on American ships and citizens in violation of international ,aw.
 Fra ght with the grave possibility ol war with Germany. the ac,on WAS taken by Prejdent Wilson on a .er ne was convinced that Germany ae.a. ally wa, pro rcdine with her cam. palgl Of rt1,esauess ana had mIle efforts 10 plot with MeNago and Japan against the tgeriogial Integrity Of the United S.lta8.
 tLcag before the ordt was given from tue white house aI necessary precaution r the arm'ne or nor hIH' men had been completed al the nlyy department. Secretary Daniels. how ever. issued an appeal to the pre- ot the nation to 70 rain from di cl~sing these preparations.
 The presidents action sent a tbri'l through hte senate, meeting in special session, and through the government departments. still hoping that war with Germany will he avoided, off cia,s and senators declared shat the issue rests entirely with Germany.
 The president signed the proclama- ton calling the extra session of con gress and authorized the rrb ication nf the explanatory statement with Secre hry Tumulty standing at his bedside. A severe cold has kept him from seeing callers fer three days and he was put to bed by his physician yes terday.
 In deciding that he has power to arm merchantmen the president took the position that an o.d statute passed in 1919, cited in the senate debate as prohibiting su,h q step withcut con gres ona, action, has m application to the present situation. He is satis- fled that the nation stands behind him and accepts the overwhelming vote ia the ao SC on the armed neutrality bl. and the known opinion of hTee ma jority of the senate, as proof of tAe attitrde of congress
 Although tho bill which failed e pass n the senate provided for bond issue of $l00,O00,000 to pay the expenses of armed neutrality, the gov ernment has sufficient money avail abe for its immediate purposes. Con eress WI. he asked to provide moro when the extra session convenes.
 Under Q bill passed during the las1 days of tAe last congress the funds at the disposal of the federal war risk bureau to inmre American sflps wa increased to s15,000,00o.
 Armed neutrality is expected to re-