The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-03-10
ORDERS SHIPS ARMED
continued from P1rat PaReJ

senators declared that the issue
rests entirely with Germany.
Formal announcement Of the
government policy was given
in the following announcement is
sued from the White House:
Secretary Tumu!ty stated in
connection with the Presidents
call for an extra session OF con-
gress that the President is con-
vinred that he has the power TO
arm American merchant ships
and is free to exercise 1t at once.
But so much necessary legisla-
lion is pressing for consideration
that he is convinced that it is for
the best interests Of the country
10 have an early session Of the
Sixty-firth congress, whose sup
port he will also need in all mat
tiers, collateral 10 the defense Of
our merchant marine"
Acted While In Bed.
The President signed the proc
lamation calling the extra SEES
sion Of congress and authorized
the publication Of the explanatory
statement with Secretary Tumul-
" standing at his bedside. A Sc
we're cold has kept him from see
ing callers for three days and he
was put to bed by his physician
yesterday. -.
In deciding that he has power
to arm merchantmen. the PreSi-
dent took position that an old
statute passed in 1919, cited in the
senate debate as prohibiting such
step without congressional &C
tion. has no application to the
nreSent situation. He is salts
lied that the nation stands be-
hind him and accepts the over
whelming vote in the house on the
armed neutrality bill and the
known opinion of a large majoEl-
" Of the senate as proof OF the
Attitude of Congress.
Although the bill which failed o.
passage in the senate provided for. {
bond Issue Of Sl00, 900 900 70 pay the
expenses of armed neutrality, the gov
has sufficient money avail
sble for its Immediate purposes.
Congress will be asked 10 provide
more when the extra session con
ienes. .
Under bill passed during the lasr
lays Of the last congress. the funds
It the disposal OF the federal wal
'isk bureau TO insure American ships
vas increas,N 10 S15.000.0Q0.
Armed Neutrality.
Armed neutrality is expected 10 re-
move the practical blockade OF Amerl
AN ports and place the issue Of even
ual war sQuarely upon Germany. An
attack upon an armed American yes
,eT will preclpitate fight If the shiI
gets sight Of the submarine and al
lnTarned attack would be regarded
1v the United States as an act OF
war.
Germand and Austria both have de
Jared armed merchantmen war yes
sells, These declarations we're based
argely, however. upon the charge
hat British merchant ships used theil
armament extensively and it remains
o be seen whether Germany will sc
class and treat American craft with
defensive arms.
The whole German press comment
and unofficial utterances since the
question was raised in this countr!
has indicated the conviction that any
armed vessel should be considered
hostile and sunk in the same way a!
a belligerent war vessel. There ha!
been no official expression on The
subject.
Germany's Exact Policy.
Germany's exact policy towart
vessels sailing through tht
war zone since its proclamation Feb
ruary has not been quite clear
owing to the fact that less than {
dozen such voyages have been made
and 1t Is possible that all the vessel:
that escaped succeeded in avoiding
the submarines entirely. 1t has beer
suggested that Germany probably. is
sued instructions to her commander:
not to sink American ships withou
every precaution for those on board
as a last hope of keeping America ou
of the war. The ruthless destruction
Of passenger liners like the Californl;
and the Laconia, however. is felt her'
70 render this belief improbable.
The effect of Americas action upon
other neutral nations will be awaited
with keen interest. Vessels of thoS'
countries too, have been holding II
mort through terror Of the German
menace.
The throttling OF neutral shipping
both British and German. expert:
have stated to be the most serious re
suit OF the German campaign 70 dale
and to have exceeded In effects IN
actual amount Of tonnage destroyed
Several German authorities have IN
iicated that so long as they could ter
rorize neutral vessels and continr'
their attrition on British shipping. TN
eventual starvation Of England wa!
certain.