The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
TWO AMERICAN WOMEN KILLED
WHEN LINER WENT DOWN
BY GERMAN TORPEDO
U-BOAT MADE NO EFFORT TO
RESCUE PASSENGERS
Congress Declines to Authorize Arm
ing of MunitiOn President
VIII Act independently Unless Con-
gress CO-Operates Speedily.
Omitted Pressj


WASHINGTON, Feb. 27-The sink
ing Sunday night at 1O:3O o'clock of
the Cunard liner Laconia. which was
torpedoed off the Irish coast without
warning, resulting in the death of two
American women is declared, accord
ing to highest official Interpretation
to be "a clearcut case" of which no
investigation will be necessary. 1t
was learned that this was the admin
istration attitude after a conference
between President Wilson and Secre-
tary Lansing. What shall be done re-
garding the sinking and how done are
altogether il the hands of the presi-
dent. The official who was interview
ed did not bring in the word "overt''
in his Interpretation of the mind of the
situation but left the impression that
covert" was in his mind President
Wilson and cabinet will have all the
facts available when they hold their
session this afternoon.
1t is strongly intimated that the
president has no intention of again
going to congress and may on their
own responsibility decide the matter
now in the hands of congress, feeling
that quick positive action is neces-
sary. although it is thought that the
conference with Chairman Flood. now
arranged, may change this attitude
somewhat
The house committee on foreign af-
fairs split today on the request made
yesterday by the president to grant
authority to handle the situation and
failed to report on the Flood bill grant
ing power asked. Instead several
committeeman sought to amend. The
committee voted to send the propos-
ed amendment to the president this
afternoon for consideration. After
the meeting adjourned Chairman
, Flood made an appointment with
President Wilson. 1t is thought that
as a result of the sinking of the La
coma, it may be agreed at the con-
ference that the president shall urge
the abandonment of the amendments
and the reconsideration of the subject
r by the committee, and the granting of
the authority asked in order that it
- appear that congress stands behind
him. The committee reconvenes at A
: O'Clock The main fight is against
giving power to arm American mu-
/ milton company ships, which is the
+ same objection met at the session of
the senate committee of foreign rela-
tions, where the meeting broke up
without action.
A LONDON. Feb. 27-Two American
t women, Mrs. Albert Hoy and her
daughter Elizabeth, were among the
0 thirteen killed in the Laconia disas-
q ter according to the official report of
Crt1
d exposure and six others succumbed in
t. like manned. Five persons were
S drowned. Six of the injured are in
hospitals. Two hundred and sixty
survivors landed at Queenstown and
fourteen at Bantry. The survivors re-
ported admirable discipline aboard the
n vessel There was no panic. Two
torpedoes struck the ship. The lights
failed after the first hit causing slight
confusion. The weather was calm
X but heavy swell was running. The
e wireless operators Donnes and Tay-
lor proved themselves heroes by stay
ing at their post and sending out
calls for help until a warship respond
! ed when they jumped overheard, being
IS the last to leave. They were rescued
u by a lifeboat After torpedoing the
/ ship a submarine approached and
S sent out life boat which inquired for
ie the captain and asked the nature of
4 the cargo. On receiving replies the
ie submarine commander remarked that
le British warship would shortly reach
a. the survivors and departed without
offering assistance. Consul Frost's
u report contains detailed confirmation
of the first report that the vessel
'e was sunk without warning
8 Arthur Hoy today cabled President
H. Wilson demanding that the United
States avenge the death of his mother
v and sister and requested that he be
permitted to be the first volunteer in
case an American citizen army be
raised. Otherwise he expects to Join
s the British army.
20 A message from the British army in
Of France received today says that the
~ indications are that Germany viii
20 continue to retire until they reach
~ line approximating the front between
Al Arras and Cambria. The British am
- pressing forward toward BaD~,,ma