The Washington herald., 1917-02-28
NO LONGER CAN DELAY ACTION.

VIOLATION OF WORLD LAW.
The deaths of Mary E. Hoy and
Elizabeth Hoy, of Chicago. in the
sinking of the Laconia, were de-
clared by the administration to be a
plain violation of international law"
The cold formal report of Consul
Frost, at Queenstown, described the
two American women as dead from
exposure and bodies lost at sea-"
But behind the official language
Washington last night saw the whole
breadth and scope of the German
submarine ruthlessness with the full
possible effect on American rights.
The Laconia was described as an
other "Lusitania case" and admins
tration officials made it plain that the
--.next-step" to protect American
rights at sea was now inevitable. 1t
was stated that whether the President
secures Congressional sanction for
his authority to arm merchant ships
or not, before many days American
vessels, armed fore and after, with
American gunners aboard, will be de-
tying the German war zone.
The President is convinced that
under the Constitution he has au-
thority to arm American vessels, and
nc proposes to use it, it was stated
last night. The signicant announce
ment that the Navy Department to-
day will open bids for supply of
guns suitable for use on merchant
ships was forthcoming yesterday.
The reports of Consul Frost on the
Laconia sinking were laid before the
President yesterday by Secretary of
State Lansing, and after the confer
ence the Secretary announced that the
Laconia case was clear violation of
all the rules of international law.
While he would not say whether the
tragedy was regarded as the covert
act" necessary to precipitate the next
step" administration officials gener-
ally declared that the situation was
fraught with grave possibilities.
Baltimore Negro Killed.
Consul Frost last night reported the
death of an American negro on the La
coma. Earlier he had reported five
drowned and five, including the two
American women. dead from exposure.
The Laconia was twice torpedoed, the
second time while the passengers and
La
Last night it was stated that the cir
cumstances Of the case demonstrated be-
Sond doubt that German subma rine COM
manders were prepared to go to the full
extent of ruthl .ssness outlined in the
war-zone order which became effective
February ]. and that there was no hope
OF averting action by the United States
10 meet the German campaign.
A day Of hurried and chaotic conferences
at the Capitol and the White House cul-
minated last night in the halting Of all
action toward granting the President au-
thority to handle the situation. Wide
and apparently bitter division Of opinion
In both House and Senate made it clear
that the desired authority will not be
forthcoming without a legislative bat
tie.
On the House side the Foreign Affairs
Committee struggled throughout the day
to agree on the form Of a bill to meet
the situation. Various amendments to
the measure proposed by the administra-
ton. with its blanket authority, were
proposed. Postmaster General Burleson,
representing the administration, took the
amendments to the White House and
conferred with the President It was as
serted that the Cabinet, which was In
session at the time. discussed the pro-
posals. and determined that the Presi-
dent should insist upon the full authority
which he requested in his address.
Returns to Capitol.
Back to the Capitol went the Post
master General The House COMMITTEES
met once more, and after a vain effort
TO agree, abandoned all efforts for the