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Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 964, 14 March 1917, Page 6

A very interesting feature about America's somersault with regard to the arming of merchantmen is its possible effect on the progress of submarining. The experience of Britain has been that when aVship is armed, even with a single effective gun, it has an enormously better chance of escape. Britain therefore is arming merchantmen as rapidly as possible, and since America is to follow suit, it seems thai submarining must soon lose its sting unless the enemy can devise further means of destruction. It is obvious, however, that the arming of merchantmen by America must greatly increase the prospects of an early declaration of war. There is no bluff about these merchant-ship guns and gunners. America has said unequivocally that they arc there for definite and vigorous action—that her guards will open fire even without a preliminary attack if there is reason to believe that a submarine has hostile intent. If, therefore, a submarine is sunk, it is incredible that Germany will not at once open hostilities. Should she instruct her submarine commanders to keep clear of American ships, her whole fabric falls to the ground, and England remains invincible and almost unassailable. On each side now the price of peace would appear to have become prohibitive. Even if Germany can avoid destruction by indiscriminate submarining, she certainly cannot do so without this weapon; and since America cannot, and now clearly will not tolerate its use any longer, the issue should not remain long in doubt. The only other possibility would be the throwing in the air of the Teuton sponge—and no one seriously looks for that.