The Yale expositor., 1917-03-15
PRESIDENT ORDERS
J. S. SHIPS ARMED
Also Calls Extra Session of Sixty
Fifth Congress for
April 16.
CABINET BACKS HIS ACTION
Government Will Not Tell Names Of
Vessels That Are Given Guns and
Gunners-Press Asked to
Maintain Secrecy.

Washington March 12.-President
Wilson has decided to arm American
merchant ships, under his constitu-
tional authority, and also has called
special session of congress for April 16.
American merchant ships sailing for
the submarine zone have been armed
by the government and they are ready
to sail.
To Conceal Names Of Ships.
The names of the armed ships will
not be made public by the government
and are not expected to be published In
the newspapers.
The president signed the proclama-
ton for the extra session on Friday
while lying in bed with a cold. Orders
for carrying out the presidents de-
cision to arm ships were Immediately
sent to the navy department.
The president decided to arm ships
after receiving formal opinions from
Attorney General Gregory and Secre-
tary Lansing that he had such author
ity. in spite of old statutes which some
believed forbade 1t.
Mr.. Wilson has the backing of the
entire cabinet in taking the step. Guns
for arming merchantmen have been as
sembled at navy yards along the At
lantic coast and everything Is ready
to carry out the policy announced by
the president.
Ask Secrecy for Ships.
The navy department issued an ap-
peal to the American newspapers to
refrain from publishing any informa-
ton whatever of the nature or arma-
ment of ships and already has appealed
to the cable companies to suppress all
information Of ships crossing the At
lantic in either direction.
With the government launched on
the policy of arming American mer-
chantmen to defy the risks of the Ger
man war zone, the newspapers and
all other news-dispensing agencies OF
the United States were requested TO
place themselves under q self-imposed
censorship.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels
calling the Washington representa-
tives of the newspapers of the coun-
try together, asked that an definite
information as to the arming or
ships, or the movement Of armed ships
be suppressed.
Thinks Country Backs Him.
Because of the passage by the house
of the armed neutrality bill and the
signing Of the manifesto approving
such a step by majority Of the senate
during its last session, the president
feels he has congress and the country
behind him. AS soon as congress con-
venes additional legislation on the
question will be asked.
Under bill passed near the end Of
the last session the amount of money
at the disposal of the government war
risk bureau for insuring American
ships was increased to $15,0O0,OO0. Un-
der the present rule Of the bureau the
government does not insure ships car
rying arms or ammunition.
Tumulty Makes Statement.
The following statement was issued:
Secretary Tumulty stated in con-
nection with the presidents call for an
extra session of congress that the pres
ident Is convinced that he has the
power to arm American merchant ships
and Is free to exercise 1t at once. But
so much necessary legislation is press
ing for consideration that he is con-
vinced that 1t is for the best interests
of the country to have an early session
Of the Sixty-fifth congress, whose sup
port he will need In all matters col
lateral to the defense of our merchant
marine"
After the White House announce
ment the navy department announced
1--WE are prepared as to gunners as well
as guns"
May Ask Approval Of Step.
II was stated that as soon as the new
congress convenes the president will
lay before joint session his views and
desires as to legislation. If he wants
legislative sanction for his step In arm
tnB AIutTlCdu Shipo' NOhBhCoSiohui icdu-
ers declared that 1t would be promptly
forthcoming.
The adoption Of cloture rule In the
senate has cleared the way for action
In both houses to bold up the presi.
dents hands In dealing with Germany.
Immediately following the issuance
of the call for an extra session there
was a succession of events tending to
make II extremely possible that there
will be bipartisan organization In the
next house with Champ Clark con.
tinued as speaker.
White Book to Tell Plotting.
II became known that the adminis-
tration is preparing a White book set
ting forth all of the evidence of Ger
man plotting against the United
States, chiefly In the Latin-American
countries, and of the activities of Ger.
man agents In melting acts of violence
ON American soil. These documents