Show NATIONS NOTIFIED U Us S st WILL FIGHT NOTICE GIVEN OF intentions TO PLACE ARMED GI GUARDS J ARD ON merchantmen merchantman MERCHANT MEN germany will be informed that her submarine threat will not keep amerman vessels from the ses sen washington tho united states government overn ment on march 12 took the only formal step that will prec precede edethe the salling nailing tor or the war zone of american merchant ships armed to resist attacks by german submarines notice to the alie world ot of the intention to place an armed guard on merchant men was given in a communication vently bent by the state department to all embassies and legations in washington tho the statement which it Is assumed will be tran transmitted 1 knitted to G C amany by the swiss minister follows in view of the announcement of the imperial german government on january 31 1917 that all ships those of neu neutrals included met within certain fones cones of the high seas would be sunk without any precaution being taken for the safety of tile the persons on board and without the exercise of visit and earch the government of the united has determined to place upon all american merchant vessels sailing through the barred areas an armed guard for tile the protection of the vessels and the lives of the persons on board officials continued to bo be reticent about mhd arming of ships and the probable probably pro bablo late date the first would be ready to sail all such details are regarded all aa military secrets in fact the there re Is s a general disposition to avoid discussing any phase of the situation pending the outcome of the dallance de del flance lance of the submarine menace by Amerl american can v vessels es with naval guns and gunners on board |