Show NATIONS NOTIFIED U U. U S. S WILL FIGHT i- i NOTICE GIVEN OF Ot INTENTIONS TO I PLACE ARMED GUARDS ON i MERCHANTMEN 1 Germany ermany Will win be bo Informed That Her Submarine Threat Will Not Keep n Vessels Vessels' From the Sea J I Washington The United St States tea f government t on n Mar March 12 took the only H formal forma step that will precede the sailIng san sail c Ing for tor th the war zone or of Am American rIcan merchant mer mer- chant client ships armed to resist attacks by Y German submarines Notice to the world ot of the intention to place an armed guard on on merchantmen merchant merchant- men was given glyen in a communication sent by the state de department to all embassies and legations in Washing Washing- ton The statement which it it is assumed will wm be transmitted i to Germany by the by-the the i Swiss minister follows In view of or the announcement ement of or the o J imperial German government on January January January Janu Janu- ary 31 31 1917 that all ships those of neutrals included met within certain k zones zoned of or the high seas would be sunk without any precaution bei being g taken for tor the safety of ot the persons on board f and without the exercise of or visit and the government of or the United y t States has determined to place upon oil nIl American merchant mercha t vessels sailing 7 through the barred areas an armed t guard for tor the protection of the he v vessels i. i and the tho lives of ot the persons persons on board Officials con continued to be reticent about the arming of ot ships and the probable date the first would be ready to o sail Mil All AU such details are regarded i as s 5 military secrets In n fact tact there is a ar r general disposition to avoid discussing t any phase of or the uia situ situation Uon pending the outcome of or the defiance of or the the submarine menace by American Americ n vessels vessels ves yes sels with naval guns and gunners on |