PATROL PLAN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 203, 13 September 1937, Page 7

PATROL PLAN

-Preas Assn.-

Submarine Pirates POWERS' DEC1SIONS Destroyers To Police Trade Routes PROTECTION OF SHIPPING

(By Tolegraph—

-Copyright.)

(Received 13, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 11. The Nine-Powcr Confercnce dealing with piracy in tlie Mediterranean reassembled at Nyon to-day and examined the British and French patrol plan. The plans have been drastieally amended owing to the absence of any naval experts, except French and British. It was considered that a discussion of the zone plan would, in such circumstances, be involvcd in prolonged delays, whereas a speedy decision is essential. A communiquo states that M. Pouritch, the Yugo-Slavian delegate, on behalf of the Balkan Entente, said that tkose powers, after consideration by their naval forces, had decided that — (1) Each Power should be responsible for policing its territorial waters. (2) Each Tower . should consult the other riparian Powrers with a vicw ty collaboratiou. (3) Britain and France should police the seaS on the most used routes. M. C. Kiosseivanoff, the Bulgarian delegate, said that he supported the Entente's dcclaration. M. Delbos theu submitted the British and French draft, tho text of which, after changes, was approved, subject to the approval of the Governments. The Black Sea riparian Powers under took to deal with submarines threatening the freedom of traffic thovein. It was agreed that the adopted text should be enforced immediately the Governments had signed, for which purpose the conference will meet early next week. The details of the new scheme have not been disclosed, but it is understood that British and French destroyers will pclice the entire Meditcrrancan, Zone Allotted to Italy. Italy's participation is provided for in the Adriatic, but the proposals will be implemented, probably on September 14, even if Italy does not accept. Russia will, with the other nations, be responsible only for tho proteetion of the Black Sea. Neitlxer the Spanish Governmeut nor insurgent vessels will be protccted. If a Spanish submarine belonging to either side attacks other nation's shipping, the position wili be as follows — If a submarine comes to the eurface, shows its flag and gives the crew a chance of gaining safety, as provided by the Lpndon Maritime Convention oi 1936, and then torpedoes the ship its action will lead to national, not international consequonces, inasmuch as it will be an act of war againgt the country whose vessel is sunk. The patrolling destroyqr will not intervene in such circnmstauce?, bat a submarine not observing, the rules will be treated as a pirata and sunk. An explanatory cotumunique from Nyon announces that neither Spanish party will be accordcd belligeront righta. Naval vessel3 will counter-attack and, if possible, destroy a submarine attacking a merchantman not bolonging to the Spanish parties, contrary to the international law laid down in the London Naval Treaty of 1930. Authority to Attack. Naval vessels will also counter-attack a Bubmarine in the vicinlty of the merchantman attacked if tho circumstances give valid ground for beliof that the submariuo was guilty of tho attack. The British and French floets will implement the decisions in the Western Meditorranean aud the Malta Channel, except the Tyrrhexxian Sca^ which may be subject to special arraugemente. The British aud French will also operate on tho higb seas in the Rastenx Mediterranean, except the Adriafic Sea, but tlie riparian Powers will be responsible for their territorial waters and also allow the use of their ports. The communique adds that in order to facilitate measures no submarine belonging to the participants may enter the Mediterranean unlese it is accompanied by a surface vessol, or is in defined exercise zones. The Powers must not admit a foreign submarine to their waters unless it is a casq of urgent distress, or is accompanied on the surface. The Powers will also advise merchantmon to follow agreed routes. It is understood that at least 60 destroyers will be employed, 40 per ,cent. ot which will bo French.