Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-10
PRESIDENT WANTS CONGRESS
Z ON DUTY TO ADVISE HIM
IN U-BoAT CRISIS.
NO DETAILS GIVEN OUT
AS TO ARMlNG SHIPS
No Delay to Be Permitted in Giving
Merchantmen Full Protection-Ship
Guns Except For Defensive Purposes
Censorship Established.

| Washington, March 10 - While the
government was proceeding to arm
American ships TO repel German sub
marines, President Wilson issued the
call late yesterday for an extra session
of the sixty fifth congress to assemble
on April IS.
| These two steps are the most import
ant of numerous developments of the
day. indicating that the government is
embarking upon a course which may
lead to war between the United States
| and Germany
White Book to Tell Plotting.
1t became known that the admins
tration is preparing White book set
ting forth all of the evidence of Ger
man plotting aginst the United States,
chiefly in the Latin American coun-
| tries, and of the activities of German
agents in melting acts of violence on
American soil. These documents are
to be published in the event that rela-
tons with Germany take more seri-
lous turn.
In recognition of the grave situation
and of the more serious consequences
that may flow from the measures
adopted, the administration is appeal
ing to all loyal Americans to support
the government without question and
to maintain silence upon the plans for
the protection OF Americans and their
property on the high seas, particularly
with reference to the arming OF Ameri-
can ships.
Voluntary Censorship.
This national silence in arming of
ships was enjoined by Secretary of the
Navy Daniels In appeal to news
papers and all other agencies to pre-
vent the dissemination of informa ton
that might result in the sacrifice of
American lives and prove damaging to
the cause of the republic.
He requests the establishment OF a
voluntary censorship, for want Of the
censorship which it Is proposed to es-
tablish by law when the new congress
takes up national defense legislation.
No Delay in Protection.
II is not possible to say when or how
American merchantmen will be armed.
except that there will be no delay in
furnishing such physical protection to
all ships Of American registry whose
owners request 1t.
The names and sailings OF ships
armed by the government are to be
withheld from publication and Score
tary Daniels has requested the tele-
graph companies to permit no such In
formation to be communicated to any
foreign country. The wireless telegraph
stations are already under strict gov
eminent censorship and control.
Warning to Ship Captains.
The suppression of this information,
the administration believes will make
it impossible for German submarine
commanders to know what ships are
and are not armed to resist their at
tack.
The captains Of armed ships are to
be strictly enjoined not to. use their
guns except in defense from unlawful
molestation. German submarine COM
manders will be expected to give warn
ing. whether American ships are armed
or not.
BY this means the administration Is
seeking to minimize the possibilities of
clashes between submarines and armed
ships, which might precipitate war.
Admit War Is Close.
That it may not be possible long to
avert war Is realized by the admins
tration. Congress has been called b,