THE SUBMARINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1921, Page 5

THE SUBMARINE.

USE DURING WAR. PREVENTING ATROCITIES. PROTECTION OF COMMERCE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. Received Dec. 30, 8.25 p.m. Washington. Dec. 29. The committee on limitation of naval armaments took up the consideration of the Root resolutions regarding the treatment of merchantmen in time of war. Mr. A. J. Balfour (Britain), Admiral de Bon (France), Signor Schanzer (Italy), and M. Hanihara (Japan) warmly supported the first, which reinstated the existing international law on the subject in clear and concise terms, but ail suggested referring same to the legal committee for drafting. Senator Root opposed this, and pointed out that the question at present before the committee was whether rule one, as stated, embodied the existing principles, and if so what hindered its adoption? The provision, he added, governing submarines, was a vitally important matter, and the Conference could not separate without expressing itself to the effect that submarines were not under any circumstances exempt from these tules.

Senator Root then referred to the efforts made to deal with the same subject by jurists appointed by the League

of Nations, which resulted in a wider plan being rejected last year. Senator Root reiterated that something must be done at this Conference. The reso-

lution proposed re-assertion of humane rules for the protection of humane life. He discredited and condemned the attempt to overturn them, and he asked whether any delegation could afford to return and tell its country that the matter was referred to a committee of jurists and left there. Sir John Salmond (New Zealand) agreed that it was not necessary to appoint a committee of jurists. rte pointed out that the resolutions were not free from ambiguities and formal defects, and he thought there should be an opportunity for examination and a formal amendment. Senator Lodge and Senator Underwood also spoke strongly in suppprt of Senator Root, and hoped the declarations would ba adopted sefore the Conference adjourns. In the afternoon the first resolution was further considered. Air. Balfour suggested emphasising the object of the resolution by putting the words, “to the end that there may be a clear public understanding throughout the world of standards of conduct whereby judgment will be passed by the world future belligerents,” at the beginning of the resolution. Since the British were unable to carry their plan for the abolition of the submarine the resolution provided an alternative, for in the resolution the abuse of submarines was unsparingly dealt with. M. Sarraut (France) brought once more full and complete adhesion of the French delegation to the principles of the resolution. He said the French wanted to see the resolution go into jfcorce with the assent of all the Powders represented. The chairman described the resolution as the most emphatic condemnation of the abhorrent practices which shocked the world. The resolution was unanimously adopted and referred to the drafting committee. A second resolution, prohibiting a submarine being used as a commerce destroyer, was taken up by Mr. C. E. Hughes (America), who explained that fundamentally he recognised the practical impossibility of using submarines as commerce destroyers without violating the requirements for the protection of neutrals and non-combatants. The

whole civilised world should be asked to outlaw the submarine as a weapon against commerce. Mr. Balfour suggested going a little further, having the five nations represented to agree on the rule forthwith and inviting all other nations to subscribe to it. The American delegaton approved the proposal as practical application of the existing rules, and the matter was adjourned. —Special to Australian Press Assn. QUESTION TO BE RE-OPENED. RESTRICTING THE SUBMARINE. CONFINING ITS USES. Received Dec. 30, 10.20 p.m. Washington, Dee. 29. A plenary session is possible on Saturday* and probably also on Monday, when the whole question of submarines will again be ventilated by the British and French. Regarding the Root submarine resolutions, the French want a strict interpretation of what is merchantmen and the agreement of all nations thereto before committing themselves. American circles do not regard as probable the calling of any conference to re-open the submarine question. “When a nation lays down its position clearly like France,” said the spokesman to-day, “it is no use giving opportunities for further refusals.” But it is evident the strongest efforts will be made by the United States and Britain, acting in conjunction, to render the ’submarine practically useless. Suggestions for the further strengthening of Senator Root’s resolutions were made by the committee to-day, and if agreed to will reduce its value to that ot an absolutely* military weapon, ot which its usefulness has already been proved to be of the lowest. The American delegation is evidently determined that an unsparing condemnation of the illegal use of the submarine should go out to the world from the Conference. All members of the delegation spoke in the strongest terms to this effect to-day, the chairman expressing the opinion that a declaration bv the great Powers would not fail to have the greatest influence on the world. The British delegation feel that m view of the adherence to the Root resolu?>OT3 announced by all delegations today, much of the ground lost yesterday in abondoning hope for the tion of submarine tonnage will be recovered if the uses ot submarine be limited Strictly to military purposes. The British spokesman said the gain so far is only a moral one, but is bound to affect public opinion and eventually £«me material, besides restoring atabUity and the relations between. nations. In the delegates are optimistic tothat the resolutions will be Practically Unchanged-Special to the Australian Press Assn,