AGAINST THE SUBMARINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1929, Page 8

AGAINST THE SUBMARINE.

“Aeroplanes arc a weapon of war, but they have also added enormously to the useful and harmless equipmentof society. But the submarine is unmitigated devilry. Apart from its uses as a weapon of war it is entirely worthless, and if it were outlawed tomorrow there Is-not a single healthy human interest which would suffer' loss. The fact that it is a sneak that strikes in the dark, a criminal that hits below the belt, and nowhere else, would rob war of its last rag of decency and honour, if such a rag remained to it. In this vile furtive monster, that slays indifferently both friend and enemy, the savagery of war touches it basest note,' and its existance is an offence against the most elementary conditions of a civilised society. Why is this outrage permitted to destroy the innocent and affront the conscience of the world ? All the nations have solemnly outlawed war. Why cannot they give evidence of their good faith by outlawing this most infamous weapon of war ? It is said that it is the only wehpon of defence available'to the small nations; themselves. It is not the small nanons like Sweden and Norway are building submarines, and it is common knowledge that if the matter rested with these Powers the submarine would be banned tomorrow.”—Mr A. G. Gardiner, in the lxmdon “Star.” 1 ' '