THE LACONIA OUTRAGE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14235, 1 March 1917, Page 3

THE LACONIA OUTRAGE.

VIOLATION OF AMERICAN RTGHTS. CONFERENCES AT WHITE HOUSE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, Feb. 28. | There is a- growing tendency among the newspapers to demand action by President Wilson. The Globe, commenting on the Laconia outrage, says : "Oermciny has committed an act of war, and only a mmocle can prevent an armed conflict."

General opinion is that the sinking of the Laconia is a clear-out violation erf American rights. An authoritative opinion to this effect was given after a conference between President Wilson and Mr Lansing. It is expected that the sinking of the vessel will hasten the action of Congress. A memher of Cabinet said : "It is the Lusitania over again. America will be forced to act."

Some Congressmen opine that passenger ships and not munition ships should be armed.

The Evening Post's Washington correspondent states : "The sinking of the Laconia- is an overt a«t, but will probably not lead to further steps at present than armed neutrality."

Mr Bryan is hurrying 1 to Washington to oppose the conferring of extensive powere on the President.

The New York Times' Washington correspondent .says the official attitude is that the Laconia outrage constitutes an overt wet. and no further facts or inquiry are needed iintil Congress acts on the President's recommendations. All indic.itions > are that Conprress will pass the Empowering Bill.