Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-06
MANN ADVOCATES
UNMARRIED ATTACK
Declares U. S. Submarines
Should Not Hesitate, in War,
to Torpedo Hostile Munitlon
ShipS


leader, in a discussion in the House
on submarine warfare. He said the
submarine could not operate in lady
Ike manner. and declared that the
quickest way To end war is to make 1t
destructive. Mr.. Mann practically adj
vocated attacks without warning on
munition ships II the United States is
engaged in war.
Representative J. Hampton Moore
OF Pennsylvania started the debate by
putting this question to Chairman
Padgett OF the Naval Affairs Commit
tee:
"Inasmueh as much OF the war
trouble that now beclouds the horizon
arises from the use Of submarines by
a foreign nation, would like TO know
whether our understanding OF interna-
tional law, or the committees under
standing, is such that il any foreign
nation uses submarines, or II the use
of submarines by a foreign nation is
regarded as ruthless warfare. that OBJ
lection holds against the United
States if We should be engaged in war
and should find il necessary to use
submarines
Representative Padgett replied that
while not speaking for the Admins
tration he believed that IF this gov
eminent engaged in war 1t would con.
duct it along the recognized and pro-
per lines of conducting war, and
would observe all its obligations and
perform all its duties.
As to Friends and Fighting
Representative Thomas s. Butler
said to Mr.. Moore:
Il voted for this appropriation with
the understanding that these weapons
would never be used to commit unjus-
tifiable murder and for no other rea-
son would / vote for It.
'ln answer to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania replied Mr. Moore, Il
will say that he is good. sturdy,
peace-loying Quaker, but who fights
sometimes.
lam not a Quaker.' flashed Mr..
butler,
"A Friend explained Mr. Moore.
Nor a Friend" replied Mr.. Butler.
Il do not belong to the society OF
either. I have made that statement
in the House 40 times, and this is the
last time. ! would disgrace the hon.
orable people by belonging to them"
The gentleman does not swear,
said some one.
II do net swear at all. Il can keep
my word without swearing, said Mr.
Butler
After replying TO series Of ques-
tions On the submarine question. Rep
.esentatfHe Gardner asked Mr.. Moore
DO you think that the sending
home OF the German ambassador was
justified or not
We'll, now the gentleman has q
certain Anglomaniac notion"
Mr.. Gardner insisted that he be
answered. and Mr.. Moore answered
that he supported the President. but
that does not mean that this should be
followed up by an instant declaration
Of war. bringing 100,0005000 people
into war
New Weapons For Murder
Representative III. w. Temple of the
Foreign iReiations Commistees then
entered upon a serious discussion or
the international law involved In u
beat warfare. He said, in part:
1T Is never lawful to make war
against noncombatants. and it is as
unlawful upon the ocean as Il is upon
the land TO fire into women and child
rem.
The right of the neutral does not
depend upon the weapon that is used
against him. II am accused of muir
der and plead in defense that used
kind OF poison that had not been
invented when the law against murder
was made. still the murder depends
on the right Of the murdered man to
his life and mot on the nature Of the
weapon that was used in taking his
life.r
Here is where Mr.. Mann came into
the debate.
As l understand Doctor Temple, "
he said. This position is that If we en-.
gage in war with any foreign Power
and we have submarine that meets
a foreign vessel either of a neutral
country or of the beIligerent countries
loaded with ammunition to supply the
army or the navy Of the enemy coun.
try. our submarine must. lady-like, rise
| from beneath the surface of the sea
ask to board the armed merchant yes
sci and ask to inspect the papers OF
the armed merchant vessel before We
can do damage to that merchant YES
sci.
i am not very well informed as to
submarine warfare, but / have been
told that while this lady-like opera
ton was going on. the merchant YES
sci would sink the submarine before
officers OF the submarine could. board
her. OF what use Is submarine ex
tept for use against such vessels, and
so far as the submarine is concerned
In defending against war vessels to
day the submarine is not very yaIu
able"
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