The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-02-12

Bigger Submarines.
Bigger and bigger submarines,
more and more powerful mines would
succeed each other in rapid success
sion. Every year would see the con-
ception and development of improve
ments in submarine attack and sub
marine defense. 1t Is a thing of lin
itless possibilities. Merchant craft,
OF course, would have to undergo spe-
cial notifications. They would prob
ably have to become submersible and
therefore much dearer to build and
to man, It would mean high freights
and dearer commodities.
There are those who think that we
can attain to self f-containment in
Britain. It is an idle dream. Nature
has not been very kind to us in re-
spect Of soil and materials. Our
growing population demands an ever
increasing flow of imports. British
wealth is based upon British coal
working on important materials. A
self contained Britain is a practical
impossibility. We must not forget
that we have to provide for an ever
increasing population.
Life Side of Problem.
And there is the life side of the
problem. 1t is a dreadful form Of
death which science has inflicted on
men through the submarine. 1t is a
terrible abuse of the good gifts of
intellect to make them serve so cruel
a purpose. The revolt of the heart,
which we all experience in thinking
OF submarine warfare Is a good and
proper thing. 1t is a base sport, the
underwater hunting of ships, and it
is rats death-the final plunge and
the waiting-the dreadful waiting.
Dear women did not bear sons for
such an end.
I am told, but I will not believe 1t,
that there are some naval authori-
ties who desire to see the submarine
perpetuated-who are averse from
the proposal that all submarines
should be destroyed and no more
made anywhere in the world. II such
there be, let the public know the rea-
sons. What argument can be adduced
to maintain in the world a deadly
danger which is especially a menace
to tiny island with a gigantic popu-
lation?
Freedom Of Seas.
Either the submarine must disap-
pear-after a brief discreditable his
tory. or the world passes on to new
chapters of horrors bought at the
price of constant and unavailing sac
rif1ce in peace.
The freedom OF the seas would in
deed be a meaningless phrase in
world infested-it is the only just
worldly tens OF thousands of under
hand undersea craft matched against
mines and ners' and barriers, with
merchant ships constructed as much
with an eye to meeting submarine at
tack as to carrying merchandise.
Hopes for Plan.
It was hoped that a plan satisfac-
tory to all of the powers would be
working out at today's session, as the
time is drawing short before the
present armistice expires on Feb. II.
AS matter of fact, inspired re-
ports quoting Marshal Foch in re-
gard to the possibility of Germany
outnumbering the allies on the west
ern front by March would be anus
ing IL they did not create satisfac-
ton among the Germans themselves.
Foch's Attitude.
Marshal Foch's attitude and that
OF the greatest world leaders is taken
to be that it would be impossible for
the Huns to renew hostilities in this
or the next generation: but II given
the opportunity of a substitute drive.
1t would be for the commercial su-
premacy of the world.
If this attempted conquest were
made possible. it would eventually
couple economic with military effort,
which might have disastrous results
for the world. Consequently 1t is re-
garded as necessary to compile mill
tary terms which will be lasting and
which will actually be the first action
of the peace treaty. Should unani-
nous effort result from the present
meeting, 1t would mark an important
forward step by the conferees.
President Wilson. Marshal Foch.
Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of
the American forces; Field Marshal
Haig. the British commander-in-
chief: Gen. Diaz. the italian COM
mander, and Gen. Petain. of the
French army. participated in the
general meeting at the foreign Office
said Marcel Hutin. in the
Echo de Paris. TODAY. The report on
new armistice conditions was preA
pared for submission to today's meet
ing.