Arizona republican., 1917-02-12
SHIP OWNERS
 MUST PROVIDE
 OWN DEFENSES
Republican A. p. Leased Wire]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1l-American ship owners who have been holding their vessels in port because of inahil- ity to obtain guns for defense against submarines probably will have their difficulty solved in few days.
 Strong intimations were given in of- 'ficial quarters tonight that while the government will not actually arm mer- chant craft or even formally advise arming a way will be found to put weapons at the disposal of owners who desire to prepare for defense against illegal attack.
 The enforced idleness of the Ameri- can merchant fleet is being viewed with growing disquiet and the view here is that not only the export trade but the nations standing before the world demands that American vessels con- tinue to ply the seas without regard to the German proclamation which the government has repudiated with the most severe means in its power short of war.
 The German proposal delivered to the state department yesterday, that means be discussed of preVentin~ the break in relations from resulting in war; apparently has struck no respon- siVe chord here. No official would in
 
 given, but there was no disposition to deny that the proposal had been made or that the American government re- garded it as an effort on the part of Germany to befog the issue. It was made clear everywhere in government circles that there was nothing to dis cuss unless Germany desired to stop abridging American rights and illegally menacing American life.
 In connection with the German sug- gestion, special interest is attached te cable dispatches announcing that Elm peror William had called a conference, presumably to discuss the submarine campaign and the position of neutrals. l Was suggeSed that out of the confer ence might come something more tan gible than the mere oral suggestion that Germany would like to discuss means of preventing the addition of another nation to her long list of enemies.
 What has been done so far is con strued only as an attempt to place upon the United States the appearance of belligerence, to bewilder public opinion here and divide the country.
 Whether any sort of answer beyond a mere acknowled cement to the Swiss minister, who presented the suggestion yesterday, will be made is uncertain, as that matter rests entirely with Pres lQClll W llSOi 0ljlllOflS ulIIeI, some believing it will ignore the suggestion entirely. It is possible that summary Of the present submarine campaign with a list of the sinkings without warning and the loss of lives may be submitted as further showing why the United States and other neutrals be- lieve Germany's course outside the bounds of law.
 The fact that only one vessel was destroyed in the war zone today and that the number has been growing smaller daily. has modified the views of those who thought the new cam paign might isolate England. Reports from British sources that less than go vessels out of HOO going to and from England had been destroyed since the campaign started are regarded as sig nificant as to the success of the under sea warfare to date.
 It is pointed out that the heaviest losses were expected in the first few days, when many vessels had had no time to make port or take precautiOn.
 In the matter of permitting the arm ing of American ships, the government will take every precaution, it is under stood. not to go further officially than II all ready has gone in telling ship-own- CTS that they are justified in arming for self protection if they think it nec- essary. Strong opposition has devel- oped from the beginning of the arma- ment discussion to any step which would seem to duplicate the country absolutely in the actual machinery of armament. As much as possible it has been desired not to take any action