Evening star., 1917-02-27
To Take No Formal Action
on Sinking of Laconia Until
Congress Passes Measures

After the receipt of word that two
American women and eight American
negroes had lost their lives as the re-
suit of the sinking of the Laconia, it
was indicated in official quarters to-
day that no immediate action would
be taken by President Wilson, but that
renewed pressure would be brought to
bear on Congress to grant the addi-
tional authority requested by him yes
terday.
While official comment was withheld
pending a full investigation, the La
coma incident was looked upon as seri-
Gus.
Secretary Lansing. back from a brief
vacation trip, conferred with President
Wilson this morning and laid before
him reports from Consul Frost on the
sinking of the Laconia
After Secretary Lansing left the
White House it became known that ad
ministration officials regard the sink
ing of the Laconia as clear-cut case
of an overt act, and from the official
dispatches received from American dip
lomatic officers abroad do not think
there is any need for a long, detailed
investigation.
Not Going Before Congress Again.
President Wilson has any thought of
going before Congress again, it became
known at the State Department thai
administration officials do not believe
there is any necessity for the President
talking up the subject again with Con-
gress.
The following dispatch from Consul
Frost at Queenstown. dated at 11:l5
O'Clock last night was received today
at the State Department:
Two American ladies believed dead
from exposure and bodies lost at sea
from Laconia. namely. Mrs. Mary f.
Hoy and Miss Elizabeth Hoy of Chicago.
Four Americans saved: F. r. Gibbons
Chicago Tribune; Mrs. +. T. Harris wife
of Col Harris, L. S. A. Fort DUPONT;
Arthur F. Kirby, upper New York state.
and Father Wareing of St. Josephs
Seminary. Baltimore.
''Laconia torpedoed without warning
1890 pm. February 25. $50 miles west
of Fastnet. Overcast, heavy swells not
breaking. fair breeze.
"Laconia carried AZ gun. invisible at
night. Second torpedo twenty minutes
after first. Thirteen boats got away.
of which No. S. with Hoy ladies, was
lost. Wireless had been sent out
Boats picked up admiralty patrol am.
February 26. Cargo cotton, foodstuffs
and non explosive munitions. Appar-
emily eight deaths out of 1896 on board
Two hundred sixty crew and seventy
five passengers, including many women
and children.
Ship Sank in FortyFive Minutes.
ship sank in about forty-fve min
utes from time of first torpedo. Had
fired six rockets which were seen bv
admiralty patrol. Wireless also used
up to last moment. Boats scattered two
or three miles in swells twelve feet
high Burned flares and were picked
up seriatim between and 4 am. Feb
ruary 26."
\ second dispatch from Consul Frost.
timed $50 O'Clock this morning, says:
Deaths of Mrs. and Miss Hoy, as re-
ported. now positively confirmed Cedric
h. Ivatt of New York, probably Ameri-
| can, is apparently lost. Add to Ameri-
cans saved the following negro fire.
| men and seamen: Douglas Adams, New
port News; enjamin Carter, SO West
69th street New. York: Lewis DarneII,
505 Perry street, Baltimore: Carey
Masseburg. 10 South 10Th street. New
port News: Ed Smith. 333 South Man.
chester street, New York; Harry Young,
$50 Park road. New York; Barney Rhet-
CONTINUED on Second Page.)