The Washington herald., 1917-03-03
NAVY PREPARES
TO Arm SHIPS
Guns for American Liners
Ready in "a Hours,
Daniels Reports.

Complete arrangements for arming the
merchant vessels of the United States
to defy the German submarine zone were
by Secretary of the Navy Daniels. The
President is prepared to order the next
step" against Germany as soon as Con-
gress has finally acted on his request for
complete authority.
With the final action of Congress on
the authorization resolution but a mat
ter of twenty-four hours, it was appar-
ent last night that the Presidential order
would be forthcoming before the in
auguration ceremonies on Monday. With
American commerce once more on the
high seas, the next move in the German
American crisis will be Germany's. No
further action by this government has yet
been decided on.
Guns Ready I'm Tventy-four Hours.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels. in his
report to the President made 1t clear
that the passenger-carrying vessels OF
the American Line can be furnished with
guns and gunners within twenty-four
hours after the Presidential order is is
sued. These ships would be the first to
be armed, and the government expects
them to resume their regular sailings
under the protection of the naval arma-
ment. The Naval Secretary reported that
guns. ranging from three-inch to six-inch
naval rifles. are stored at Long Island.
at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. at the Nor
folk Navy Yard and at Boston, ready to
be mounted on merchant ships at once.
The Secretary pointed out that the Amer
ican Line ships were built to receive
guns and that mounting them would call
for little labor. He said that It might
take longer time to arm other vessels,
fw,1I
mount. weigh 1900 pounds. and many
ships would require structural bracing
before they could mount such weapons.
So far, the President was told only
two requests have come to the depart
ment Cor arms and gunners, outside of
the oft-repeated request of P. A. 8.
Franklin. head of the American Line
The Navy Department, 1t was said, does
not contemplate any embarrassing rush
for naval guns when the President issues
his order to arm vessels. Guns will be
mounted and gunners supplied, only after
formal application to the Navy Depart
ment.
SailinEs Only Reply.
President Wilson. 1t was learned last
night, believes that the only reply to
Germany which this country can now
make Is the immediate resumption of
American transatlantic commerce. Until
that step has been taken, all collateral
and aggravating issues between the
United Sites and Germany will be held
in aDeyanCe.
Official Washington will wait to see
what action Germany takes and what
treatment is accorded American vessels
plying the war zone protected with United
States navy guns. The sinking of such
a vessel by submarine would, 1t Is
recognized, at once increase the gravity
of the situation, and the destruction of
a submarine by an American ship de-
Tending itself from attack would un-
doubtedly be considered an act of war
These matters. it was stated, will be
considered by the administration when
they are reached, but for the present,
the energies Of the President will be di-
rected toward keeping American COM
merce safe in its peaceful pursuits at
sea.