Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-13
WILSON IS URGED To
MUSTER ALL POWER
Of AMERICA ON SEAS
Naval Officials Would Assem-.
BILE Reserves and Naval Mi
Iitia anad Release Officers on
Shore Duty for Sea Service
by Associated Press.)

by Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON, March 12.-MobiliZa-
ton of the complete fighting strength
of the navy has been recommended by
naval officials. The approval of Presi-
dent Wilson is required before orders
can be sent calling out the reserves, as
sembling the naval militia. and releas-
ing all active officers now on shore duty
for sea service.
Immediate graduation of ne hrs
class of Annapolis would be included N
the plan to make up as far as possible
the threatened shortage Of officers.
In addition to mobilization of forces
already enrolled in the militia or re-
serve, an active recruiting campaign
would be necessary to supply all ships
of military value with full compile
ments. Officials believe they would
have little difficulty in obtaining the
men if mobilization were ordered
Navy recruiting continues to show
great increase For the first eight days
in March the net gain was 716 men.
On March l. there were 59,0S7 enlisted
men in the navy, and on March 8, S.
75s. There are still needed for mobili-
zation. including regulars and reserves
102,295.
Purchase of sixteen non-rigid dirigi-
BILE airshipS for coast and harbor patrol
work at a total cost of S649,250 was an
nounced today by the navy department.
The Curt!ss Aeroplane company was
awarded three for $122,250; the Con-
necticut Aircraft company, two for
$4,000; the Goodyear Tire and Rubber
company, nine for SS6O,U0O, and the P.
F. Goodrich company, two for $4,000
Deliveries will begin within 40 days.
FIRST TO BE BOUGHT
The airships are the first of
type to be bought by the navy undl
recent $1,000 600 Appropriations
aeronautics They will be $50 fed
length, 81 IL feet in diameter or so feet
high over ALL will be equipped with ra-
do communication. and 100 horsepower
motors capable of making continuous
flight of sixteen hours at thirty-five
miles each and a maximum speed of
forty-fve miles an hour for ten hours.
The dirigibles will be able to operate
from shore bases and alight on water .
in good weather.
Secretary Daniels today continued
conferences with ship-builders and
manufacturers in his efforts to
speed naval construction to the maxi
mum capacity of the American ship
yards.
Probably within week a point will
be reached under which present con-
struction can be FASTENED and new
ships be laid down under the 10 per
cent profit agreement
Motor boat builders also conferred at
the department about building subma7
rine chSsers.
NOTICE OF ARMING SHIPS.
Formal notice that American ships
fr-or inc nh In
zone are to carry armed guard
for the protection of the YES
sci and the lives of the persons
on board" was sent by the state depart
nent today to embassies and legationsl
in Washington of all Foreign govern+
ments.
Following is the text of the commune
cation as made public by the state de-
partment:
In view of the announcement of I
the imperial German government on
January 81, 1917. that all ships
those of neutrals Included, met
within certain zones of the high
seas would be sunk without any
precautions being taken for the
safety of the persons on board, and
without the exercise of visit and
search, the government of the
United States has determined to
place upon all American merchant
vessels sailing through the barred
areas an armed guard for the pro-
lection of the vessels and the lives
of the persons on board
TO NOTIFY GERMANY.
The notification, it is expected, will
be sent to Germany by the Swiss leza-
ton here.
Whether other neutral governments
will admit American armed ships to
their ports is a question for them to de-
eide. but it is not expected here that
objections will be made. Holland is the
only neutral known to have barred
armed merchantmen.
State department officials did not
wish to make it clear whether it was
mandatory for all American vessels to
have arms or whether they might sail
without them if they so desired Pre-
viously the navy department under its
policy of silence as to such questions
had also refused a ruling.
The navy departments position is
that it will equip with arms all ships
whose owners apply to 1t.
Permission for clearance Of the
French liner Rochambeau from New
York, the first belligerent merchantmen
to arrive in an American harbor with
guns mounted fore as well aft. was
today granted by the state department,
which ruled that the Rcchambeau as a
passenger-carrying vessel plying usual
routes was 2 peaceable merchantmen.
entitled to take adequate precautions
against illegal attack
Undoubtedly the Rochamoeau ruling
will lead TO a general policy of arning
vessels TO the fore. 1t was thought
she was sent into port largely as
test of this governments policy and
now that wide armament is allowed it
is assumed that other entente merchant
men will follow suit
Tnhonno uohit Ronichnd