CITIZEN THE WEATHER FAIR. CITIZEN WANT AD' UK1NU RESULTS VOL. XXXIII, NO. 138. ASHEVTLLE, N. C, SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH 10, 1017. PRICE FIVE CENTS THE ASHE VILLE an PS kwmw PMlK 1 hAk sBatssli FROM SICK BED PRESIDENT WILSON AUTHORIZES ARMING OF AMERICAN MERCHANTMEN American Ships Will Sail the Seas, Regardless of Germany's Submarine Warfare and Will Be Prepared io Defend Them- Gone Begging i selves Against Attacks by the Underwater Craft Wilson Decides He Has Authority Act. President CALLS EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS FOR APRIL Arming of Ships Is Fraught With Grave Possibilities of War With Germany But President Wilson Does Not Hesitate About Order. WASHINGTON, March 9. President Wilson from a sick bed today ordered the arming of American merchant nhips against Germany's ruthless submarine warfare, and at the same time issued a proclamation calling an ex tra session of congress to meet April 16. The president's decision cam suddenly late this af ternoon, following the action of the senate yesterday in i e vising its rules to permit prompt action on important questions and the submission of formal opinions by Sec retary Lansing and Attorney-General Gregory that he has the 'power to arm merchantmen without action by con gress. Details Withheld. Details of the government's armed neutrality plans for defending the merchant marine were withheld to avoid endangering Americans and their ships by permitting the information to reach Germany. The only statement at the white house and the navy department was that the president had determined to fully protect American rights, The decision, coming at the end of a period of tense waiting, was generally hailed as the natural and unavoid able next step in the policy adopted by the president when he broke off diplomatic relations with Germany and gave warning that the United States could not tolerate attacks on American ships and citizens in violation of internation al xw. Possibility of War. Fraught with the grave possibility of war with Ger many, the action was taken by President Wilson only af ter he was convinced that Germany actually was proceed ing, with her anpaign of ruthlessness, and had made ef forts to plot with Mexico and Japan against the territorial integrity of the United States. Long before the order was given from the white house all necessary preparations for the arming of merchantmen had been completed at the navy department. Secretary Daniels, however, issued an appeal to the press of the na tion to refrain from discussing these preparations. The president's action sent a thrill through the sen ate, meeting in special session and through the govern ment departments. Still hoping that war with Germany will be avoided, officials and senators declared that the issu' rests entirely with Germany. Formal Announcement. Formal announcement of the government's policy was driven in the following announcement issued from the white house: "Whereas public interests require the congress of the United States should be convened in extra session at 12 o'clock noon, on the sixteenth day of April, 1917, to receive ;ich communications as may be made by the executive; "Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, president of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim and declare rliat an extraordinary occasion requires the congress of the United States to convene in extra session at the capi tol in the city of Washington on the sixteenth day of April, 1917, at 12 o'clpck noon, of which all persons who shall athat time be entitled to act as members thereof are here by requested to take notice. "Given under my hand and the seal of the United States of America, the ninth day of March in the year of Our, Lord, one thousand nine hundred and seventeen, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and forty-first." Signs Proclamation. The president signed the proclamation calling the ex- REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IM HOUSE MAJORITY Speaker Clark and Repre sentative Woods Plan to Organize House. SICK REPUBLICANS CAUSING TROUBLE May Give Democrats Con trol of the Lower House; Are Optimistic WASHINGTON, March 9 Opti mistic forecasts of the control of the next house came quickly from demo cratic and republican leaders tonight when they heard of the president's call for an extra BesBion of congress, April 16. Many unbiased observers, however, foresee only a long and bit ter organization fight unless a coali tion agreement prevents. Predict Victory. Both Speaker Oark and Represen tative "Woods, of Iowa, chairman of the republican congressional commit tee, predicted victory for their re spective parties. Each said his party was assured of at least 218 votes and that this probably would be Its mini mum strength. The official standing of the Incom ing house is as follows: Republicans, 215; democrats, 214: prohibitionist, 1, progressive one; progressive-protectionist one; social ist one; Independent one; vacant one. The vacancy exists in the Fifteenth New York district, which Is over whelmingly democratic. Under the New York law this vacancy can be filled before the extra session begins should Governor Whitman call a special election. It would make virtu ally certain a tie at 216 between the democratic and republican member ship on the opening day of the ses sion. Then the winning side would have to gain the votes of three of DANIELS ASKS ALL NEWSPAPERS TO REFRMN FROM PUBLISHING NEWS OF MOVEMENTS OF AMERICAN VESSELS Lacking Legal Authority to Establish General Censorship, Secretary of the Navy Asks All Loyal Newspapers to Aid in Keeping Movements of American Ships Secret Best News 'That Can Be Published Is That Ships Have Been Armed. WASHINGTON, Starch ft. Lacking; to the newspaper men said: (Continued on Page Two.) ' IT FACE POSSIBLE FIGHT Chance That Rebel Bands Will Attack the Ameri can Forces. REBELS HAVE FLED. legal authority to establish general censorship, the administration tonight appealed to the patriotism of the country's newspapers and cable com panies to suppress publication and transmission of information about the movements of American craft, now to be armed against German submarines. "The best, news that readers can have," Secretary Daniels said. In a formal statement to press represen tatives, "Is that the government will protect the rights of Americans to the freedom of the seas. "The publication of details can serve to no good purpose and might Jeopardize human life." Reveals no Plans. Mr. Daniels has determined not to reveal any of the department's plans for carrying out the policy ordered by President Wilson. He previously has stated, however that the navy Is prepared with guns, ammunition, gun crews and all other necessary equipment or personnel to carry out the Instructions. Navy yard commandants will superintend the actual Installation of guns on merchant craft. The rifles, ammunition, mounts, range Anders and other accessories are already stored at the yards. They range from heavy six-Inch rifles to three inch weapons and smaller guns. The number of guns to go on each ship, the personnel selected from the active list of the navy or from the reserve to handle the guns, the time of sail ing or the names of ships that have been armed, will not be disclosed. Daniels' Statement. Secretary Daniels In his statement You have read the statement Is sued from the white house and now you know that the president has the power to arm American merchant ships making trips on the seas on lawful errands, and is free to exercise It at once. I do not think you ask with what guns' they will be armed or how they will be manned or exactly when the power will be exercised. The to make sacrifice for the"h, country In times of emergency. The press can render the highest patriotic service by refraining from printing at this time what ordinarily they would freely print. "Inasmuch as It wll be Impossible to reach every naper and news agency directly, 1 will ask all papers to carry this request which Is made as an ap peal to patriotism to all Journalists government should be trusted fully) and disseminators of news. The best to carry out the policy announced In the best way. "I do not think you ought to ask when the ships will be armed or prlrtt when they will sail. Today I request ed every cable company In America not to send out any news about ships nailing to or from Europe. The wire less stations are under the direction of the navy department and no news of sailings will ro out by radio. "I am going to request you and ev ery newspaper and every news agency In the United "States not to print any news about the arrival of ships or when any of them will ntil for Euro pean ports. There Is no power of cen sorship In our country. The president does not have any authority over the press.. In this time of national emergency, I feel sure that every newspaper will accede to the request not to even give a hint or speculation of the sailing of American ships. Such publication might result in the loss of life. As the reasons are obvious for making this request there Is confi dence In administration circles that this request will be complied with by every patriotic paper in the coun try. Americans Patriotic "All patriotic Americans are ready news the readers can have Is that the government will protect the rights of America to the freedom of the seas. The publication of details can serve no good purpose and might Jeopardize human lire. All readers will surely applaud the papers In responding to tnis appeal. With the departure of the first armed American ship it will be neces sary for the navy department to Issue Instructions to gun crews as to the manner In which the weapons are to be employed. In that will be in volved a declaration of policy as to whether the appearance of a subma rine In the neighborhood of a ship Is sufficient warrant for opening fire. Officials would not discuss this aspect or the situation. When the application of a ship owner for arms has been approved by the navy department, the com mandant of the nearest navy yard will he instructed to place the guns aboard. Most of the work probably will be done at the yards where fa cilities are available for handling heavy weights quickly. In some cases structural changes In ships' decks may be necessary to carry the gun (Continued on Page Two.) KAISER THE COUNTESS ZEPPELIN APPAM WIRELESS ONLY CAPABLE OF RECEIVING Sends Telegram Co Widow; Could Not Send Messages of Man Who Invented Big and Was Known to U. S. Airships. CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) WASMlNtlTON, March 9 Ameri- can marines and bl&ejackets occupy ing winriago, recently the stronghold oi me uoan revolutionist, a nnn r from latest navy department dis patches to be facing the possibility of an aitacK Dy me rebel bands waging gueriua warrare in tne city's suburbs. The dispatches, apparently several noui-s behind developments, said the rebels had turned back after fleeing me cny ana were noing considerable damage around the outskirts In a movement which showed some sign of developing a general attack. A body of Cuban government troops under Colonel Betancourt was report ed on Its way to Santiago to reinforce the small government garrison, how ever, and navy official believed the rebels would stay out of the city prop er and avoid any clash with the Americans. Although the loss of Santiago Is re garded here as marking the collapse of the revolution. It Is realised that a continuation of the guerilla campaign In outlying sections may make serious trouble for the government com manders. When the rebels fled they left a notification that they would continue to refuse allegiance to the Menocal administration and already they, are reported to have destroyed several bridges and to have wrought great iutil Uago district. AMSTERDAM. Jan. (Via Lon don.) Emperor William, says a Ber lin dispatch, has s-nt the following telegram of condolence to Countess Zeppelin: "With deep regret I have Just learned of the death of your husband. General of Cavalry Count Zeppelin. I personally feel most painfully the death of this excellent man, dis tinguished by rare gifts of genius snd of the heart. The whole Oertnan people stands with me la mourning at the bier of one of the greatest sons of the fatherland. "In the tenacious. Indefatigable struggle for the mastery of the sir he experienced successes which made his name immortal far acttm the fron tiers of the empire around the entire world. Called away In the midst of gigantic war In winch he so ener getically co-operated In combatting our enemies. It was unfortunately not riven to him personally to partici pate In the end of the fight but his work will be continued In his spirit by the army and navy. The Almighty may console you and your family in the great sorrow for the deceased, whose fame Is Im mortal. The memory of him win al ways remain sublime .and dear to Marshal. OP T BITTER FIGHTING HAS TAKEN PLACE ON FRENCH FRQN T French Troops Take Pris oners and Make Further Gains in West. EVERYBODY RAIDS ON WESTERN FRONT Austro-Gennan Forces Take Prisoners in Battle With Russians. So Declares Dr. Zinjmer mann in Statement in Dutch Papers. NORFOLK, Vs., March 9 That the wireless apparatus dlnrovored to day on the prize ship Arpam was only capable of receiving but could not send messages, and that its pres- AMSTERDAM. (Via London, Mar. 9.) Dutch newspapers publish the following statement made by Dr. Alfred Zlmmermann, the German ence on the vessel was made known f foreign secretary, to a representative to the Tnlted States Marshal John t of a Budapest newspaper as follows: Saunders, by a pettey German officer , A, f.r . Unt d on the day that Lieutenant Berg and , . . . his crew left the Appara. for intern- -nrrned, we have spoken our last ment at Philadelphia, are the latent word and the decision is in President developments following this after- Wilson's hands. noon's investigation. j "We are determined to carry mnjiign ine sunmanne war to the Over '" """"" Ptlfl Th. ....it. f .,,,,-.,1.... ...K this afternoon Marshal Haunders said i marine war thus far have been very that on the morning of February 3. sattafactory. when he went aboard tho App .m, to "As o peace. I may say that de remove the prize crew and sent themispc- thr I'-fu-jl of our peace offer to Philadelphia for internment, he j ' ter.iuuy -Till .'.tar;!- t- the words of was Informed by a Uernisn p.;tty;th lii.;. r,a; iVt.i '.or and Is pre offlcer of a system of flashing inrs- paro I to pin't- ;. re!f at the head of sages ashore by thr u of electric ! sn alliance of a'ates for the malnten bulNs. The means of eominunlcat ,on snce of the worM'r rcc. were used then to receive a mysge I "As to Europvan neutrals, I believe from a deputy on the Tamacraw. ; there will be no rlsnge In their pre- ' ann. ram i r, r . w n ... in Tn. rn i, w mm Bitter fighting has taken place InV Champagne, with the French with-, standing German attacks and taking; further trenches, says the latest French official communication. Be-, t ween Butte Du Mesnll and Malsons ' de Champagne, French troops took, prisoners and made further gains, north of the road running between, the two places. The number of Ger mans taken by the French In the past two days in this region now totals1 170. Three Attacks. Three violent attacks were launch' ed by the Germans in the Malsons de), vnttuipttgnv necivr xne uerxnan er-, forts failed, Paris says, and the at, tuckers left many dead on the', ground. The French attack Thursday,, it Is announced, Included the blowing up of German works on a front of, 1,500 metres to a depth of 600 to 100, metres. German trenches on Height 18S and at Malsons de Champagne, Ber lln reports, were entered by tha French In their attacks, but the po' sltlons later were regained, except for' a farm near Height 181.- Increased' artillery action In the Champagne re. iwgMrUonnortnreff y Bertttf: Nine Raids. -. ".'-' Elsewhere on the western fronf there have been raids by French,1 British and German troops. Nine? raids, London says,, were mad' by the Germans against British trenches north of Wulverghem, between)' Armentleres and Tores. Berlin says thirty-seven prisoners and two m chine guns were captured In this re gion. London reports the capture ot some prisoners from the German raiders and a successful British raid south of Biaches. Cold weather again has returned to the western front, accompanied by galea and snow, and Is Interfering with operations on a large scale, six hundred prisoners were taken (Continued on Page Two.) GERMANS FOUND GUILTY OF SINKING LIEBENFELS Tried in United States Dis trict Court on Sink ing Charge. IS SERIOUS CHARGE. (Signed) WTLHELM.' Marshal Kaunders was told of Uie system, he said, at the time. Naval experts who examined the wireless apparatus declared posliie ly that the system could have ben mp!oved only for what Is known as listening in " T).y further declared hat had 'any othr r qu:o-.ient 6een used for sending messages. It would have led to immediate discovery. Further Investigation Is not probable. of tne var- NeutraJ ship owners should give up their trade with Eng land. They havf, made enough money ant run sTord to bear the loss of Krigliv ra.it. They will soon ecngn.s t!.at I: 'u their Interest to kn thtir shiia at home so that they may us them to the best ad vantage after the war." Dr. Zltnmermann added that the military eltuatloa Is entirely satisfac tory to Oerraeny. FLORENCE. 8. C, March . Bight officers and men of the "German, Hansa line freighter Llebenfels, which began sinking In Charleston harbor on the night of January ll. were found guilty of sinking the. . vessel In a navigable stream, by a United States District court here, lata today. They were acquitted, how ever, of a charge of conspiracy to sink the steamer. Captain Johann R. Klattenhoff. master is ill at Charles ton and was the only one of the In dicted men not tried. The convicted men are Johann Lubken, chief officer; George Sunket. third officer: Jonas Edward Jansen. chief engineer; Heinrlch Wattenburg. assistant engineer; Johann Wllhelm, Ruse, second assistant engineer: Morlti von Thulen, third assistant engineer; August N'euse, fourth as sistant engineer; Wllhelm Schwart- Ing. machinist. All are Germans except Jansen. who is a Dane. Sev eral of the men are German naval reservists. Counsel for the defense argued that the men should not be punished. In timating that they were only carry ing out orders. The defense offered no testimony. Its motion for a new trial, was denied. Bentence will be pa seed tomorrow. The government Introduced testi mony to show that the seal nf the I'nlted States government had been broken on the wireless apparatus, which had been wrecked: that the rrfachlnery had been eerlooety dis abled and that the seacocks were open. There also was testimony' to show the wreck of the Liebeofels constluted a possible menace to navi gation of the channel leading to the I'ntted States navy yard at Charles ton. THE WEATHER. WASHINGTON. March t. Fore cast for North Carolina: Fair Satur day and Sunday, little eaaage . la ' tempera rare.

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