Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-27
Attack and Deaths of Amer
leans Held Clear Viola
ton of U. S. Rights.
ANOTHER LUSITANIA
CASE IN PRINCIPLE
Situation Remains Unchanged From
Where President Left It at Conclu-
sion Of Special Address to Congress
mo Steps to Be Taken Until Con-
sress Acts on Request For Authority
to Protect Ships.

washington, EeD. 2I-Ine SINKING or
the Laconia with the loss of American
lives is looked upon by the government
as clear cut violation of American
rights according to an authoritative
opinion after conference between
President Wilson and Secretary Lam
sing.
Official dispatches confirming reports
coma established the case as the
overt att The situation, however,
was unchanged from where the presi-
dent left it yesterday when he asked
congress for authority to deal with the
submarine question.
PresidentWilson and the state de-
partment were Of the opinion that no
steps would be taken until congress
acts on the presidents request.
Another Lusitania case.
The first step of the government, it
is indicated, will be to furnish Ameri-
can ships with guns and gunners and
insure them in the government war
risk bureau.
The sinking Of the Laconia is regarded
as another Lusitania case In principle.
even tho fewer lives were lost.
President Wilson, 1t was said, is op-
posed to calling an extra session of
congress unless it is absolutely nee
essary. Word has been conveyed to
him that the republicans may dlibuster
to force another session.
Carried No Explosives.
While details OF the cargo Of the La
coma are withheld under recent rul-
ing Of the customs officials, 1t was
learned at the office of the company
that the following items were among
the principal commodities carried: One
thousand bars Of silver, 10000 bushels
Of wheat, 2,S43 bales of cotton, LAOS
boxes of fresh fruit, 5000 tons of she'll
castings and other war supplies, and
5000 tons of provisions.
1t was positively stated by officials
Of the line that there were no explo-
sives on board.
In addition to cargo and passengers,
the Laconia carried 5000 bags of United
States and Canadian mail, 1900 sacks
Of which had been transferred from the
American liner ST, Louis. The Laconia,
\
land American liner Ryndam returned
to port after being turned back from
her voyage to Rotterdam by the sub
marine menace, had on board nine OF
the Ryndam's passengers.
Had Defense Gun.
The Laconia, when she left here, was
armed with one defensive gun, mounted
aft. The report that the ship was tor
pedoed at night and without warning,
indicates that there was no opportu-
nifty to use the defense gun, according
to officials of the line.
The Laconia is the second ship to be
sunk Of the former Boston Liverpool
service Of the .Cunard line. A sister
ship, the Franconia, was sunk last Oc-
tober in the Mediterranean, while in
the British government service. Both
vessels were taken over by the British
admiralty soon after the war began,
and the Laconia was for awhile used
in the service tof the government as a
transport.
Was Immense Ship.
She was only recently restored to her
owners for commercial purposes. and
the trip on which she was sunk was
her third after coming back to the SER
vice for which she was built. Several
Of the officers in the stewards depart
ment were on the Laconia, and were
on the Franconia when she went down.
The registered gross tonnage of the
Laconia was 1880, her length was 625
feet and she had beam of az feet.
Designed for high h-class passenger