THE LINER BREMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20992, 20 December 1939, Page 7

THE LINER BREMEN

ESCAPE FROM DESTRUCTION BRITAIN OBSERVES LAW PASSED BY SUBMARINE (United Press Assn—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. IB r. T. h< L sto , ry ot . the exploits of the British submarine was continued as follows: When the engines of the large ahlp were heard on the hydrophones the submarine came to periscope depth to investigate and saw the Bremen steaming past fairly fast, but it was at once obvious that she would pass ■well within torpedo range. . fact, it would have been impossible for a torpedo to miss such a great target—.had Lieutenant-Com-mander Bickford decided to fire on it —but he knew that under international law merchant ships must not be sunk, except in case of persistent refusal to stop when summoned, and he had instructions from the Admiralty that the war at sea was to be conducted in strict accordance with international law. The British submarine therefore set about carrying out the procedure required of it under international law. In spite of the fact that an enemv aircraft was known to be in the vicinity, it came to the surface and made the signal by daylight signalling lamp: “Stop instantly.” Took No Notice The Bremen took no notice. Lieu-tenant-Commander Bickford at once gave the order for the gun to be uncovered so that a shot could be fired across the Bremen’s bows. Even then, liability for making provision for the safety of the Bremen’s very large crew would have devolved upon the submarine. This was impossible under the circumstances, and the warning shot was never fired. The German aircraft appeared overhead and the submarine dived. In being forced to dive by the aeroplane, the submarine could easily have fired six torpedoes into the Bremen as she dived, for she was already on an attacking course: but the dictates of international law could not be complied with, so the Bremen was allowed to proceed on her way unharmed. It will be noted that these facts contrast strongly with the highlydivergent German statements.