Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-10

Washington, March g. President Wilson from sick bed today ordered the arming of American merchant ships against Germany's ruthless sub marine warfare and at the same time issued a proclamation calling an ex- ira session of congress to meet April Is.
 Decision Came Suddenly.
 The presidents decision came sud- denly late today. following the action of the senate yesterday in revising it's rules to permit promp.. action on inn of formal opinions by Secretary Lans- ing and Attorpey-general Gregory that he has the power to arm mer- chantmen without action by congress.
 Details Are Withheld.
 Details of the governments armed neutrality plans for defending the me chant marine were withheld to hvO.d endangering Americans and tl.eir ships by permitting the informa- lion to reach Germany. The only statement at the White House and the navy department was that the presi- dent was determined fully to protect American rights.
 Unavoidable Step.
 The decision. coming at the end of period of tense waiting, was gen era11y hailed as the natural and un- sgSpss6 sgolaa9le bT neTs sfsP the pol6g , broke of diplomatic relations with Germany and gave Warhing That the United States could not tolerate at- tacks on American ships and citizens i'm violation of international law
 Action Taken After DeIiberation.
 Fraught with the grave possibility of war with Germany, the action was taken by President Wilson only after he was convinced that Germany act ua11y was proceeding with her cam efforts to plot with Mexico and Ja- pan against the territorial integrity of the United States.
 Preparations Completed.
 Long before the order was given from the White House all necessary preparations for the srming of mer chantmen had been completed at the however. issued an appeal to the press of the nation to refrain from discuss Ing these preparations.
 Sent Thrill Through the Senate.
 The presidents action sent a thrill through the senate. meeting in spe- ment departments. Still hoping that war with Germany will be avoided, officials and senators declared that the Issue rests entirely with Germany.
 OT1I1dl- -dIHOUDCGIneI.l O1 I40 guy ernment's policy was given given in the following announcement issued from the White House:
 = Presidents Proclamation.
 The presidents proclamation call Ing the extra session of congress fol- lows:
 whereas, public interests require that the congress of the United States should be convened in extra session at 12 o'clock noon on the 18th day of cations as may be made by the executive;
 Now, therefore. I. Woodrow Will son, president of the United States of cIares that an extraordinary occasion reauites the congress Of the United States to- convene in extra session at the capitol in the city of Washington o'clock noon. of which all persons who shall at that time be entitled to act as members thereof are hereby re- quired to take notice.
 "Given under my hand the seal of the United States of America, the ninth day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hun dred and seventeen. and of the in- dependence of the United States the nne hundred and forty-frst."
 The president signed the proclama- bion calling the extra sesion of con- gress and authorized the publication or the G4pt%1HdtOIy 6ldLSLnGuI WlLn Secretary Tumu1ty standing at his bedside. A severe cold has kept him from seeing callers for three days and he was put to bed by his physician yesterday.
 Old Statute Has No Application.
 Tn deciding that he has power to arm merchantmen, the president took he position that an old statute pass I'd in 1919, cited in the enate debate as prohibiting such a step without conversational action. has no applfca- tion to the present situ atfon- He is 1atisled that the nation stands be- hind him, and accepts the overwhelm- Ing vote in the house on the. armed neutrality bill, and the known opinion of large majority of the senate as proof of the attitude of congress.
 Sufficient Funds Available.
 Although the bill which failed of passage Tn the senate provided for a bond issue of s100, ,000.0 900 to pay the expenses of armed neutrality, the gov ernment has sufficient money available for it's immediate purposes Congress will be asked to provide more when the extra session convenes. Under a bill passed during the last days of the last congress the funds ht the disposal of the fedsra1 war risk l