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Show MilS NOTIFIED i U, S. WILL FIGHT NOTICE GIVEN OF INTENTIONS TO ' PLACE ARMED GUARDS ON MERCHANTMEN. Germany Will be Informed That Her, Submarine Threat Will Not I Keep Am'ercan Vessels From the Sea. Washington. The United . States government on March 12 took the only formal step that will precede the sail- j ing for the war zone of American merchant mer-chant ships armed to resist attacks by German submarines. j Notice to the world of the intention to place an armed guard on merchant-, men was given in a communication sent by the state department to all embassies and legations in Washing-: ton. I The statement, which it is assumed will be transmitted to Germany by the j Swiss minister, follows: I In view of the announcement of the j imperial German government on January Janu-ary 31, 1917, that all ships, those of neutrals Included, met within certain zones of the high seas, would be sunk without any precaution being taken for the safety of the persons on 'hoard 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 protection of the vessels and the lives of the persons on board. Officials continued to 'be reticent about the arming of ships and the probable date the first would be ready to sail. All such details are regarded as military secrets. In fact, there is a general dispositioa to avoid discussing any phase of the situation pending the outcome of the defiance of the submarine menace hy American vessels ves-sels with, naval guns and gunners on board. |