The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-03-10
HOSTILE PURPOSE
OF GERMAN DIVER ,
TO Be ASSUMED
Attitude Based on Germany's
Announced Intention, i,
NEUTRAlS ARE INTERESTED
Nation Declared Nearer War
Than Ever Before,

WASHINGTON. March 10 - The
mere appearance OF a German subma-
riue or lis periScopc in the presence OF
an American armed merchant vessel
would cntisle that ship, according 10
state department opinion today 10 take
all measures Of protection 1 the pre-
sumption that the U-boats purpose
was hostile.
Would Fire on Sight.
Under this ruling an Americans
armed merchantmen could fire on
German submarine the moment it is
sighted without being considered as
taking aggressive action. This view is
based on GermanyS declared intention
to sink on sight within certain zone,
all vessels, neutral as well as bellg-
erent, and whether passenger vessels,
frcghcrS or contraband carriers
The United States was said to stand
ila,ly on its a5mcd merchantmen warn
ing OF March y. last. in which it dei-
lnltely recognized the right to prevent
capture" as part OF the right OF self.
protection which could be exercised
either by flight or resistance DENIAL
| by Germany OF the old rule of visit and
search makes all is U-boats actually
hostile.
Issuance OF Rules improbable.
Whether the government will issue
any general rules for the guidance OF
American armed ship commanders /,
uncertain at present Opposition to
such action has been expressed on the
ground that the situation "a now en-
tlrcly clear. that IN all events, the ac-
tloh oi the commander must depend on
his Judgment and the actual conditions
prevailing and that the government
does not wish to take any step which
might be construed as a deliberately
hostile act BY Germany
Reports that the state department
was preparing a White Book of Ger
mauy% plots and in,rigues in this
country for presentation shortly either
10 the press or to the senate were flat
" denied by Secretary Lansing today.
lie said that no such step was in con-
temptation, and that no present end
could be served BY i,
Diplomats Interested.
The COnCcnSuS OF opinion IN diplo-
matte quarters here today was that the
actions oi the United States in arming
It's merchant shipping would not change
the policy OF neutral nations How
ever, diplomatic representatives OF
some oi these nations seemed anxious
10 secure all information possible re-
gardlng the details OF the plans OF the
/ United States government, as to what
/ will happen should a submarine APP
/ proach an armed American merchants
man
Virtually all agreed that in their
| opinion the United States today was
nearer TO war with Germany than at
any time within It's history.
Preparations Tor defending American
merchant vessels had already been
taken by the government and actual
work OF equlpping the vessels only
awaited the navy departments approv-
a! OF applications from the shipown-
trS, In the various navy yards along
the Atlantic coast are stored guns,
ammunition and other necessary equip
men, ready for installation.
Daniels Appeals to Be Observed.
In official circles today confidence
was expressed that Secretary Daniels
appeal to newspapers not to seek nor
to publish specific news regarding
armed ships would he observed
The request was mailed to all tele-
graph and cable companies.
The best news the readers can
have" i, said. "iS TO know that tho
president can have the freedom Of the
seas The publication OF this informa-
/ ton can have no good effect and might
ieopardiie human life