Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-12
SETTLE down FOR PERIOD
OF "|NATCHFUL WAITING
President and Advisers Face Long
Days and Anxious Nights of
Uncertainty.
ALL EYES TURN TO WAR ZONE
When First Armed American Mer-
chantman Meets German Subma-
rine, Tremendous Issue of War or
Peace May BE Decided.
ny Il. II. sAnr,HxEIL.

WASHINGTON. March l1.-Within
ten days the question OF actual hos
tilitics or peace between the United
States and Germany will be settled.
With American armed merchantmen
prepared for the dash through tho
ident Wilson and his advisers tonight
settled down for period OF '.watchful
waiting. Long days and anxious
nights OF waiting for ncws from the
VAR zone now Will occupy Washington
and the country. The administration
tonight was convinced that.the differ
ences between the United States and
Germany Will reach a climax when the
hrst armed American merchant shin
meets German submarine. While all
snip movements were Shroudcd behind
impcnctrablc secrecy, it was stated to-
night that the departure of American
commercial ships carrying naval guns
ana SnnncrS would he a matter OF but
few days. and that within ten days
armed American ships would lie in the
WAR Zonc.
FIRST ENCOUNTER
WILL BRING RESULTS
with the summers aboard American
ships under orders to fire at once on
any submarine which approaches in a
threatening manner, the first encounter
between an American shin aud a Ger
man uudersca boat will bring definite
decisive results. The administration
Tonight still hoped against hone that
the German submarine commanders in
the war zone will follow international
law and respect American rights II
the usual rules Of sea warfare arc fol
lowed and American ships are boarded
and searched for contra band. the ships
viii not resist. only this course, il
was stated tonight, can prevent open
hostilitics between tho two nations
Meantime. tho Navy Department went
steadily forward with the work of arm
ing merchantmen TO defy the war zone
Every American merchant ship which
requests protection will he givcr ade-
auatc armament ana qualified naval
Sunncrs. Every government agency
viii he invoked 10 insure proper sat
guards in the way Of concealing vessel
movements and keeping secret depar-
lures, arrivals and probable courses OF
American ships.
Waiting for definite action in the
war zone to precipitatc the climax in
the German dispute, the admiiistrati ion
concentrated all its energies in prep
araiion for any eventuality. The war
making machinery OF the government
is under orders To get into lighting
trim, and the mobilization Of the in
dustrial and commercial forces OF the
nation To meet whatever the news from
the war zone may bring forth will go
steadily on. Through the Council Of
National Defense and IFS advisory COM
mission, the work OF organizing the
nationS labor and business will he
continued. and all OF the vast energies
of the country Will be made ayailab BILE
for any use the Prcsiden, may need
TO make OF them.
PLANNING PROGRAM
Or "wAR LEGISLATION"
President Wilson and his advisers
to-day began planning the program of
war legislation" which will be laid
before the cNtraordinary session OF the
StSty-ffth Congress. called for April
10. All OF the matters which the Pres
ident will call TO the attention OF the
Congress viii have 10 do with tho in
Continued ON Second Page.)