The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-03-14
WILSON CALLS EXTRA SESSION
FROM SICK BED PRESIDENT
ORDERS ARAuNG OF MER-
CHANT SHIPS.
Takes Steps for Protecting Vessels in
Order to Maintain Freedom of Seas,
Despite German Submarine War
Step Is Regarded as Unavoidable.


Wilson. from a sick bed, today order
ed the arming of American merchant
ships against Germany's ruthless sub
marine warfare and at the same time
issued q proclamation calling an extra
session of congress to meet April 16.
The presidents decision came sud-
denly late this afternoon, following
the action Of the senate yesterday in
revising it's rules to permit prompt ac-
tion on important questions and the
submission of formal opinions by
Secretary Lansing and Attorney Gen.
eral Gregory that he has the power
to arm merchantmen without action
by congress. Details Of the govern
ment's armed neutrality plans for de-
Tending the merchant marine were
withheld to avoid endangering Ameri-
cans and their ships by permitting the
information to reach Germany.
The only statemnt at the White
House and the navy department. was
that the president had determi:
fully to protect American rights.
The decision. coming at the end Of
q period Of tense waiting. was gen
erally hailed as the natural and un-
avoidable next step in the policy
adopted by the president when he
broke or diplomatic relations with
Germany, and gave warning that the
United States could not tolerate at
tacks on American ships and citizens
in violation Of international law.
Fraught with the grave possibility
Of war with Germany. the action was
taken by President Wilson only after
he was convinced that Germany ac-
tually was proceeding with her cam
paign Of ruthlessness and had made
efforts to plot with Mexico and Japan
against the territorial integrity Of the
United States.
Long before the order was given
from tho White House, all necessary
preparations for the arming Of mer-
chantmen had been completed at the
navy department.
The presidents decision sent thrill
through the senate, meeting in special
session, and in government depart
mcnts. Still hoping that war with
Germany will be avoided officials de-
clared that the issue rests entirely
with Germany.
Formal announcement of the gov
ernment's policy was given in the fol-
lowing announcement issued from the
White House:
Secretary Tumulty stated in con-
nection with the presidents call for
an extra sission of congress that the
president is convinced that he has the
power to arm American merchant
ships and he Is free to exercise 1t at
once. But so much necessary legisla-
tion is pressing for consideration that
he Is convinced that it is for the best
interests of the country to have an
early session of the Sixty-fifth con-
gress. whose support he will also need
In all matters collateral to the de-
fense Of our merchant marine"
The proclamation calling the extra
session OF congress follows:
Whereas public interests require
that the congress of the United States
should be convened in extra session at
IL o'clock, noon. on the 18th day Of
April. 1917. to receive such communi-
cations as may be made by the execu-
tive;
Now, therefore. /, Woodrow Will
son. president Of the United States Of
America, do hereby proclaim and de-
clare that an extraordinary occasion
requires the congress of the United
States to convene In extra session az
the capitol In the city of Washington,
on the 10th day Of April. 1917. at ~
o'clock, noon, Of which all persons
who shall at that time be entitled to
act as members thereof are hereby
requested to take notice.
"Given under my hand and the seal
OF the United States OF America the
9th day Of March In the year OF our
Lord one thousand nine hundrcd and
seventeen and of the independence Of
the United States the 141st."
The president signed the proclama-
tion calling the extra session of con-
gross and authorized publication of
the explanatory statement With Sec
retary Tumulty standing at his bed
side. A severe cold has kept him from
seeing callers for three days and he
was put to bed by his physician yes
terday.