South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-27
Sinking of LaCOnia is Held to
be Another LuSitania
Case" by Officials at
Washington.
WHITE HOUSE SILENT:
WAITS UPON CONGRESS
Officials Close to AdminiStra-
ton Take Pains to Point
Out That Only 1t Can
Declare War.
International News Service:

lIltludllOudl news service
WASHINGTON. Feb. 81. - The
death OF two American women in
a small boat from the torpedoed
Cunard liner Laconia. floating in
within reach of the coast of Ireland
and near the point where the LUIS
itania dead found their graves has
deeply stirred the nations capital.
The situation today is extremely
serious.
Receipt of official confirmation of
the death of Mrs. Mary r. Hoy and
Miss Elizabeth Hoy of Chicago, fol-
lowing closely upon the positive re-
port that the great transatlantic
liner was attacked without warning
caused a tightening of expression in
official circles.
The news was sent Immediately
TO Prest Wilson in his study in the
white house. 1t was stated that for
he present he would have nothing
to say. Unoficially il was said THAI
the incident had confirmed him in
his belief that the legislation he
asked for yesterday which will per-
nit the arming Of American vessels
so that they can resume their sail
ings is more than ever necessary.
Another Lusitania Case.
That this is another Lusitania
case" seemed to be the general
opinion Of officials here. Earlier in
the day when the general situation
was in doubt, and before conf1rma-
ton had been received of the death
Of the HOys. there seemed a gen
eral desire to make it plain that
the country would not look for any
serious action by the administration
because of the loss Of the LacOnia.
II was then said TO be on a parallel
with the sinking Of the California,
which was said TO be an unfriendly
rather than an overt act. But. with
knowledge that American women
had been lost came a general change
In sentiment and the expressions Of
feeling became cOrrespOndingly
bitter
No outline OF intention came from
the white house II was said 10 be
the opinion of officials there that
there could be no question but that
the sinking Of the LacOnia with its
loss Of American lives was the
overt act" which the president had
expressed the hope would not take
place. But. the president has out
lined his next step and he was wait
ing for an expression from congress.
Meanwhile officials close 20 the ad-
ministration took the pains 10 point
out that congress is the body which
has the power TO declare war and
that il now was in session.
Waits Upon Congress.
There was little doubt that the
president was waiting TO get an
expression from congress Of its de
sires. The fact that a serious
division has developed among the
lawmakers or Capitol Hill has been
a source Of apprehension in admin
istrat!on circles. II was said. Today,
with the presidents request for
authority TO establish armed neu-
trality and TO protect American pas
sengers on American vessels before
il. congress was in the center OF the
Hmelight II was up 10 congress
to decide what il wanted done. And.
there was not the slightest intima
ton coming from the white house
as TO whether the president would
further counsel his co-branch OF the
government o. would permit con-
gress TO decide what IL wanted
done
The fact that the German sub
marine which sank the big LacOnia
fred a second torpedo before all OF
the passengers and crew had reach
ed safety was also unfavorably com
mented on II was mute evidence
that the campaign Of ruthlessness
forecasted In the official notifica-
ton by Germany that unrestricted
warfare was 20 be resumed was 10
be carried out 10 the utmost limit.
officials said.
ships sure 10 sail.
40 matter what the outcome OF
the new incidents raised by the
sinking Of the LacOnia, officialdOm
here today was absolutely confident
that not later than the end OF next