Arizona republican., 1917-03-10
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

WASHINGTON, March 9.-Lacking legal authority to establish general censorship, the administration tonight appealed to the patriotism Of the country's newspapers and cable com panies to suppress information abodt the movements of American merchant craft. now to be armed against Ger man submarines.
 The best news that readers can have" said Secretary Daniels in Il toimal statement, lis that the govern ment will protect the rights of Ameil- cans to the freedom of the seas
 The publication of details can serve no good purpose and might ieop- ardize human life"
 Mir Daniels has determined not to reveal any of the departments plans for carrying out the policy ordered Dy President Wilson. He previously has stated, however. that the navy is pre- pared with guns, ammunition and gun ,- eMs to CaI4y out tne instructions.
 Navy yard commandants will super intend the actual installation Of guns on merchant craft The rifles, already stored at the yards. range from heavy siX-inch to three-inch weapons and smaller guns The number of guns to go on. each ship. the personnel selected from the active list of the navy or from the reserve to handle the guns, the time of sailing or the names Of ships that have been armed will not be disclosed
 Secretary Daniels in his statement to oewspaper men said.
 You have read the statement issued from the White House and now you know that the president has the power to arm American merchant ships inak- ing trips on the seas on lawful errands. and is free to exercise it at once. l do not think you ought to ask with what guns they will be armed or how they will he manned or exactly when the power will be exercised. The govern ment can be trusted fully to carry out the policy announced in the best way.
 T do not think you ought to ask when the ships will be armed or print when they will sail. Today I requested every cable company in America not to send out any news about ships sail- ing to or from Europe. The wireless stations are under the direction Of the navy department and no news of sail- ings will go out by radio.
 T am going to request you and ev- cry newspaper and every news agency in the United States not to print any news about the arrival Of ships or when any of them will sail for Euro pean ports. There is no power of cen sorship in our country. fhe president does not have any authority over the press In this time of national emeT- s,enc1 feel sure that every newspaper will accede 10 the request not 10 gsye cfen a hint or speculation uf the sail ing oi American ships. Such publica ton might result in the loss Of life. As the reasons are SD obvious for making this request there is confidence in ad- nlinistfatiun circlesc that this request rrere is confidence in administration circles that this request will be com piled with by every paper in the coun- try.
 All patriotic Americans are ready to make sacrifice for their country in times Of emergency. The press can render the highest patriotic service by l refraining from printing at this time 1 what ordinarily they would freely l print
 'Inasmuch as it will be impossible tC reach every paper and news agency di- rectly. I will ask all papers to carry this request which iS ma1e as an ap- peal to patriotism to all journalists and disseminaters of news. The bes news the readers can have is that th' government will protect the rights O. America to the freedom of the seas Ihe publication of details can serve nc ~-ood purpose and might jeopardize hu
 man life. All readers surely will ap