El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-01
TACOMA TRAGEDY GIVES FINE
DEMONSTRATION OF DISCIPL IHlE
Il

FEW instances years has the value dis
epns life saving agency been ezempitied as IN that
Of the orpedong of the Cunard liner Lacona off Ireland
Dispatches contradictory in many respects agree that pei
feet oEdH maintained the liner after the first
exposion that men, women, and children, previously well
drilled anticipation of just what occurred donned life belts
instantly and marshsled into the ieboas ike deach
were no confusion panic ammng of boats In the davts
but all boats filled rapidly and in order and lowered
away Thus passengers and took to the boats and OF
about 500 on board only lost Of which
most persisted exposure after the boats left the ship
Had maintained when the torpedo struck
the Lustania that might been greatly essened
life would have been sunk and there would have
been panic time when panic meant death for many
Panic shpbOard after the submarine has struck its blow
things 1t means, first fear of what has hap
pened and second OF what IS about to happen means
fear that those board the ship viii not be able TO get
zto boats and away.
very individual he is to occupy certain place
certain boat; that viii take his place from him, and
that loading and embaring will proceed with the utmost
expedition That aver the second stage OF panic In advance
ques first stage which is the fear of what has
happened The Lacona carried comparatively few passengers
and of course In comparison with the Lusitana, and
the latter ship somewhat less time than the Laconia
In the very things it would have been difficult,
impossible keep the loss of life low In the Lusi
tania the Lacona Yet the Lustania had
proportionaely many boats the Laconia The
Laconia people worked rapidly and efficiently and got
spare Proporionatey many Of the Lustania
Passengers and might least have had time to
bark
Drin and discipline aiding speed and averting panic
that is what saved lives In the case Of the Lacona Ger
tanly every captain vessel carrying passengers into
the danger ought take heart the lesson thus spread
before his eyes
It would be wrong 10 turn from contemplation of the
sinking of the Laeona without reference - the bravery Of
Mrs 2. z. Harris wife Of American amy officer,
lieutenant colonel OF coast artillery Standing beside the
ships captain she helped supervise the loading Of the boats
With passengers and children, carefully check
ing them loading continued and seeing that each
was provided With febelt blanket and tsrPaulin. She
and the captain among the last the ship and
~ helpunes and courage the captain accorded her the
being first to land Americans have right to be
proud Of brave woman realizing that there
home just like her ready to display lofty
spirit IN time of emergency.
The national guardsmen heartily cheeIed when
they started for the border but the test Of home Sp
viii when they return to their states and look for jobs
One Of the outstanding Of the dissension
the United States and Germany is that neither in
the lesst appreciates the others point Of view.
While snowsdes feature the In Colorado and Ne
braska fruit trees Fl Paso and vicinity coming out
bloom.
Standard Oil company, whose properties in Rumana
damaged during the German invasion also out for
restitution and repatriation
Reading of the Russian offensive the average reader may
where the River IA may 3D. but it makes great
difference far he &C.