The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-13

Continued from FIRST Fage.t
arrivals will be governed ny orders
from Washington, The masters OF
rect from the navy department The
state department said today that the
--~v-V department could use it's own
Judgment as to the need for putting
commissioned naval officers on the
merchant ships in connection with the
gun crews.
Todays notification to the govern
ments OF the world Of Americas in
tention 10 protect her sea commerce
was clear, specific and to the point
II was addressed to each of the gov
arnments represented here, and said:
Notice to Other Nations.
I'm view of the announcement OF
the imperial German government of
January al 1917. that all ships. those
Of neutrals included, met within GER
lain zones Of tho high seas. would be
sunk without any precautions being
taken for the safety of the persons
on 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 pro-
lection Of the vessels and the lives OF
the persons on board"
The identical note and explana-
tions made at the state department
made II clear that every American
ship sailing for the war zone will
be armed This disposed completely
Of speculation as to whether ships
carving munitions OF war as part
Of their cargo would he accorded full
protection. The state department has
always contended. however, that mu-
nftions ships as well as all other
merchant vessels were entitled to the
full protection OF International law
and they will be armed in accordance
with this attitude.
To Build Clascrs.
Pressing his plans for the complete
naval preparedness OF the nation. Sec
rotary OF the Navy Daniels today took
ID with builders Of small boats the
problem OF supplying at once vast
feet of submarine chasers, OF tho
motor boat type now used by Great
Britain Representatives OF the
Adams Shipbuilding company. of East
Booth Bay. Me-: NJ. h. Calderwood. OF
Manchester. n. H.; Eastern Ship Yard.
shelter Island. y. Y; Elco company.
Bayonne. ~ l.. Essington Shipbuild-
ing company, Essington. Pa, Gas En-
zine and Power company. Morris
Heights. y. Y; Great Lakes Boat
Euilding corporation, Milw k e.
Wis: Greenport Basin and Construc-
lion company. Greenport. L. L.: Her.
respoff Manufacturing company. Bris-
-tel. r. L.. Robert Jacob, City Island.
N. y: I.awley & Sop, Neponset. Mass;
LADDERS Marrick company. Stamford.
Conn: Mathis Yacht Building COM
,anv Camden, n. j.; Matthews COM
panv Port Clinton, Ohio; Murray and
Treeuartha company. South Boston.
Mass.; New York Yacht, Launch and
engine company. Morris Heights, "
r. Smith & Williams company, Sails
s,,,ry. Md. and the Mann Yacht Build
inr company, Baltimore. Md. were at
the conference.
After reviewing the facilities avail
shIe for the type of ship the depart
nent wants. the builders were unable
r. promise more than 100 boats in four
or five months. This was far below
the desire of the department. The de-
nartment wants motor boats Ito feet
ionr with the highest possible speed.
ana the builders will be asked to revise
their estimates in an effort to supply
the greatest possible number of these
trait at once.
Edison Hard At Work.
New war inventions to meet the
submarine campaign the navy depart