The Washington herald., 1917-03-13
"FIRE AT SIGHT"
IS ORDER GIlEN
To ARMED SHIPS
Merchantmen Told by Daiels
to Sink Any Submarine
that Threatens.
SEARCH TO BE ALLOWED
U-Boats, However. Must Approach on
Surface-Noti6cation Is Sent to
All Governments.

Fina! orders to the Navy Gunners whC
will work the guns on armed American
merchant ships defying the German sub
marine zone were framed last night at 4
conference between Secretary OF State
Lansing and Secretary of the Navy Dan.
iels
The orders will be transmitted directly
10 the gun crews by the Secretary Of the
Navy. They provide in detail for CON-
pliance with the attitude Of the United
states In the whole long international
controversy over the use OF submarines
against merchant craft
The merchant ships gunners will FIRE
at sight on any submarine approaching
in a threatening manner, but will re-
spect the right of the submarine to visit
and search" for contraband IL any effort
is made to exercise that right. Further
than this statement the orders will be
kept absolutely secret
The final form of the orders to gun
ners we're framed after the State De-
psrtment had communicated to every
representative of a foreign government in
Washington the intention Of the United
states to arm its merchant vessels These
two formal actions cleared away the last
commerce resumes its place on the seas
The Navy Department and the War De-
2rtnent at once settled down to the Wig
7rous prosecution of all steps toward
lacinG the nation on a war basis to meet
whatever the submarine controversy NAV
ieXt bring forth.
Under Federal Control
The armed ships starting for the war
zone will be absolutely under the con-
troll of the Federal government Their
courses. their departure and arrivals will
he governed by orders from Washing
ton. The masters of the ships will take
heir orders direct from the Navy De-
i'artment- The State Department said
Yesterday that the Navy Department
could use its own judgment as to the
need for putting commissioned naval ON
'ers on the merchant ships in connec-
ion with the gun crews.
Yesterdays notification to the govern
nIents of the world of Americas inten-
tion to protect heF--sea- consnoerce was
clear. specific and to the point II was
addressed to each of the governments
represented here and said:
In view Of the announcement of the
Imperial German government OF Janu-
ary 81. 1917. that all ships, those Of
:eutrals included, met within certain
zones of the high seas, would be sunk
without any precautions being taken for
The safety Of the persons or 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
protection of the vessels and the lives
Of the persons on board
Answers Mooted Question.
The identic note. and explanations made
at the State Department made it clear
that every American ship sailing for the
war zone will he armed. This disposed
completely of speculation as to whether
ships carrying munitions of war as 4
part of their cargo would be accorded
full protection. The State Department
has always contended. however, that
munitions ships as we'll as all other mer-
chant vessels were entitled to the full
protection of international law, and they
will be armed in accordance with this
attitude.
Pressing his plans for the complete
naval preparedness of the nation Secre-
tary of the Navy Daniels yesterday took
up with builders of small boats. the prob
lem of supplying at once a vast fleet Of
submarine chasers of the motorboat
type now used by Great Britain. Repre-
sentatives of shipbuilding concerns from
all over the country attended a confer
ence on the subject at the Navy Depart
ment.
After reviewing the facilities available
for the type of ship that department
wants. the builders were unable to prom
Use more than 100 boats in four or five
months. This was far below the desire
Of the department. The department
wants motor boats 10 feet long with the
highest possible speed. and the builders
Will be asked to revise their estimates
in an effort to supply the greatest pos
sible number Of these craft at once