ARMED AMERICAN SHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16500, 28 March 1917, Page 6

ARMED AMERICAN SHIPS.

The first of America's armed liners has crossed to a British port. The vessel >; is the St. Louis,*:.of ,»tbe American ? Steamship . Line. 'i [ When I relations with' Germany were broken off the St. Louis was ? ready to sail from New York; the controversy between the United , States 'Government and the shipowners :immediately centred round her. The case of the St.-Louis became a test of the Government's intention to 'protect ' ; American ' \ ships \ and American lives. The owners were unable to obtain either guns or gunners and | intimated to the Government that all their ships would remain in port until either naval convoys or iguns and gun crews were provided.- President Wilson's difficulty appears to have ; been . that a minority of the' Cabinet opposed the arming of merchant /vessels and that a greater number, were against convoys unless as a war measure and after a declaration of war. Probably it was the opposition he met in Cabinet that induced Mr. Wilson to seek the support of the Senate. When the proGerman senators blocked the passage of the Armed Neutrality Bill it became evident that, unless great American, liners were to be held indefinitely in port, the Presi- / dent would have to act upon his own. responsibility. Decision was reached two weeks ago, and, the news of the arrival of the St. Louis is evidence that guns and gunners are now being i supplied. With the resources at the disposal of the United States Government there should be little delay in providing all necessary equipment for the full resumption of interrupted services.