17 MARCH 1917, Page 1
Mr. Wilson, invested with the authority he needed, has decided
to arm American merchant vessels and to call an extra Session of Congress. Popular opinion thoroughly approves of the arming, and the correspondent of the Morning Post says that it would applaud the raising of an Army a million strong. This, however, does not appear to be even in prospect. Mr. Wilson's purpose is to break the blockade of American shipping, and wait for what may happen when the American armed merchantmen come into contact with German submarines. It is generally understood that the merchant- men which meet German submarines will fire at sight. Meanwhile the American Shipping Board are considering a scheme for building wooden ships—ships that would not easily sink when torpedoed or shelled—for bringing food to the Allies.
