It was this filibuster that called forth the President's denunciation of the "little group of willful men" who had, with reckless disregard of the country's needs, prevented important legislation, and his suggestion that the rules of the Senate be changed so as to make impossible any such occurrence in the future. Before adjournment a large majority of the senators signed a document stating that they favored the bill to arm American merchantmen, and would have voted for it, had they been given the opportunity. Confident that he had the power under the Constitution, and a large majority of Congress having expressed its willingness to grant him specific authority, the President on March 12 directed me to furnish guns and naval gunners to American ships. Guns and men were ready, and the work of arming merchantmen began immediately. In two days guns were installed on the _Manchuria_, _St. Louis_ and _Aztec_, and four days later the _New York_ and _St. Paul_ were equipped. The _Manchuria_ sailed for England March 15, and thereafter a constant succession of merchant ships carrying armed guards left our ports for Europe. The day after Bernstorff was dismissed the General Board had submitted the following specific steps to be taken in case of conflict with Germany: G. B. No. 425. Confidential. Serial No. 666. February 4, 1917. From: Senior member present. To: Secretary of the Navy. Subject: Steps to be taken to meet a possible condition of war with the Central European Powers. On account of existing conditions, the General Board recommends that the following steps be taken to meet a possible condition of war with the Central European Powers: 1. Complete complements and allowances of all kinds, first of the A and B fleet, then of the C fleet, and naval districts. 2. Mobilize the A fleet in the Lower Chesapeake, and increase it immediately to the B fleet. (See Black Plan.) 3. Dock and repair all ships in reserve and ordinary that will be used. 4. Arrange for the supply of fuel to the fleet and stock all fuel depots to capacity. 5. Establish additional recruiting stations and increase personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps to the total number required to supply complements for all the ships built, building, and authorized, and to maintain shore establishments and naval defense districts, including aviation service, with 10 per cent additional for casualties as follows: Enlisted force--Navy, 150,000; Marines, 30,000; officers in the proportion prescribed by law. 6. Mobilize the naval districts, including the Coast Guard and Lighthouse services, and put patrol vessels, mine sweepers, etc., of the Atlantic coast districts, on their stations; no commercial vessels to be mobilized in the Pacific coast districts at present.