The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-03-06
Congress Expected To Give Pres
ident Authority To Issue Order
For Aiming All Liners and
Freighters On Atlantic Coast
SIX 6-lNcH RIFLES TO
BE PLACED ON STEAMERS
Some Vessels Also Likely Tt
Garry Machine Guns To Sweep
Decks Of Submarines In Case
Of Attack BY the Murderers

(Associatod Press by Federal wireisss)
w WASHINGTON, March 3-Guns,
" big and little are waiting in
T, Atlantic coast navy yards for
the word of the President that shall
place them on the decks of American
liners and freight carriers plying be-
tween this country and the nations Of
Europe. That word probably will be
given today, after congress has ACTED,
as II is expected 70 do, this morning,
on the question Of authorizing the Pres
idcnt to any measures which he may
see it to protect American property
and lives nj sea from the ravages Of
Prussian ruthlessness. ... -
II will take but three to five days
to equip American steamers in such
ports as Boston, New York, Philadel-
phja and Norfolk, with the six inch
guns, and submarine defense guns,
spitefull little three inch fellows that
throw thirteen pound shell, plenty
large enough to puncture the sides of
a German dyer. ,, 49,. :.
The big liners are to carry six 6-inch
guns each. One of these is to be
mounted fore and one aft, covering
the entire length of the vessel, and
sweeping the horizon, so that no sub.
ma rine can sneak upon her from an un-
protected angle. The others will be on
the broadsides of the ship. The liners
are also to be equipped with the smaller
guns, and II is possible that they win
sery machine guns as well, in case OF
laS-Aek fromra submarine, The machine
guns win be used to rake the decks OF
| the underwater craft when she comes
| TO the surface TO launch her torpedo,
or TO shell her intended victim. ~
The British experts who have been
studying the submarine question de-
clare that the machine gun has proved
a fine weapon of defense in such cases,
and that as soon as the government can
do so, it intends TO provide oil of the
merchant ships flying the flag with the
cross of st. Andrew with machine guns
lin addition 10 their other equipment.
| All of the guns that are to be used
for the protection of American ship
ping, win come from the navy. I'm
mediately after the breaking off of re-
lations with Germany, ship owners at
tempted to find guns with which TO arm
their vessels. The government was
willing that the arming should be done,
but declined, owing to the pressure of
the paciflsts in the cabinet, to allow
the navy department TO furnish the
weapons so sadly needed. The ship
owners then went to private makers,
but these were unable to supply the
heavier guns demanded for the larger
ships. ~ Vi,
Finally the pressure oV the embargo
on American shipping was so tremen'
dous that the cabinet officials who were
holding back the President were forced
TO yield, Congress will, it is believed
follow suit this morning, and the order
for the arming Of American ships will
be issued Immediately afterward, II
is believed that by the middle of the
next week the liners will be able Il
leave port well guarded. ......
Official news from Germany that NJ
more warning viii be given vessels be
fore they are attacked has not changed
, he situation here, d." wv
The next move in the progress OF
putting the United States in a state
of EARNED neutrality 20 deal witt
Germany has bees somewhat delayed
N the senate by objections of senators
fased on the exigencies of the parlia
mentary situation. An effort was made
Yesterday afternoon TO substitute fol
he bin which passed the house Thurs
lay the senate bill conferring author
Nv on the President to use "other in
,trumentalities - in addition to arminl
a"Ychantvessels. The senate bill hal
the backing of the administration an(
= expected later to be accepted by th'
house. - f"T. ... g.. .r...f .- ..... H.
The official notice from Berlin tbn
consideration for shipping was ended
Gareh l. and the campaign of truth
. lessness' is now full swing has no
changed the situation, although the holt
declaration that no special warning
a viii be given ships is regarded as il
A sharp contrast to the speech of Min
lister Zimmerman before the reichstag
!. An extra session of congress is nov
!, not expected unless there are extraor
: anary international Developments.
/ 80 A.