Evening star., 1917-02-27
LAC0N|A DISASTER
TO SPEED ACTION
Administration Officials Think
Congress Will Not Delay
Vote of Power.
NUMBER LOST IMMATERIAL

Administration officials today regard
ed the sinking of the British STEAMSHIP
Laconia by submarine. with a loss Of
American lives, as the most serious act
which has resulted from the submarine
warfare since President Wilson served
notice on the world that such ruthless
ness and aggression would be resisted
especially when it became known Off
cially through the reports of American
diplomatic officials abroad that the yes
sci was sunk without warning and
without regard for the safety of Ameri-
can lives
The sinking of the Laconia is regarded
as another Lusitania case. There will
he wait for the necessary official In
vestigation, in accordance with the pol
icy of President Wilson not to act until
all details are officially known, but Of
ficialS are inclined to believe that Ger
many has committed the overt act
in the sinking of the Laconia, and that
the tragedy must affect the action OF
the United States government irreSpec-
tive of weather there were two, or
eight. or ten. or 100 Americans killed.
Expect Congress to Act.
Administration officials believe today
that Congress cannot do otherwise. as
the result of the Laconia tragedy. than
speed up the granting to President Will
son of the authority asked for by him
yesterday in his address to Congress
for supplying merchant ships with
arms and sufficient credit to enable
him to provide adequate means of pro
lection to American ships. IF neces-
sary." These officials take the view
that the sinking of the Laconia shows
that the authority asked for by the
President is necessary to be exercised
forthwith. In other words, that the
sinking of the Laconia is an object
lesson, and that if other ships are not
sunk Immediately or in the near future
sit will be-" as the President said in
his address yesterday to Congress. be
cause of fortunate circumstances or be-
cause the commanders of German sub
marines which they may happen to en-
counter exercise an unexpected discre
tion and restraint rather than because
of the instructions under which those
commanders are acting"
Last week, administration officials
pointed out today. members of the Sem
ate and the House were urging that
the President should come before Con-
gress and lay the state of affairs be-
fore them. in view of the approaching
end of the session. He did so yester-
day. and during the few hours which
have elapsed there has been. to some
extent at least. a criticism from the
cloakrooms of Congress against the
proposed exercise by the President of
what has been called dictatorial pow
ers.
Confident of Support.
Administration officials have no fear.
however that Congress will fail to ,1p-
hold the hands of the President in this
crisis, when the time for voting comes
The Presidents advisers believe, as
one of them expressed 1t today. that
he will follow the country into war
rather than lead it,"
The sinking of the Laconia does not
necessarily hurry the country into war.
ii is contended. Administration Of
ficials, however. believe that it does
hurry the country into the further pre-
paredness the President has asked to
be given int his hands. especially as
to arming American ships.
These officials believe that there Is no
need of an extra session Of Congress to
discuss such a proposition or correlated
and that II Congress
wants to grant the authority President
Wilson has asked, the time to do SO is
Immediately. The question is asked.
viii the country be any better off, any
better able to protect its commerce. a
month from now, during an extra ses-
sion. after long debate. when almost
might happen at any hour of
the day or night which would actually
and necessarily hurry the country
wholly into war, than it is today, fol-
lowing the sinking of the Laconia. with
a loss of American lives and without
warning?
Time for Action Here.