The New York herald., 1921-12-23
BIG POWERS TAKE UP
SUBMARINE QUESTION

, ciples of international law. The recon-
mendation might go further not only
| regarding what were conceived to be
the rules regarding use of submarines
but also what the limitations upon
their use should be. He understood that
the crux of the controversy is as to the
use of the submarine as a weapon OF
defense. Lord Lee had said that II
was of little value as such and hence
its continued use should not be toler-
ated.
Lord Lee had pointed out that there
wer, only five nations present. The
chairman could not agree. however. that
hese were in the same position regard
ng submarines as they were regarding
capital ships, since in the matter or
capital ships they represented the po-
tency of competition. whereas. when
| leai.Ig with submarines-a more cheap
made weapon-they were dealing with
wha other nations could produce II
they chose. Even IL they were ready to
adopt the principle suggested by the
Brit sh delegation they would still have
20 await the adherence of other nations.
Upon the question whether the sub
marine was CT value for defense each
nation must take the opinion OF is
naval experts. Indications of these diff
ere ices of opinion had already been
manifested He would rot at this time
make any announcement Of the position
)f the United States. except to add TO
the expressions Of detestation Of tn =
abuse of the submarine and of the
nethods-the illegal methods, as they
rhve been continually called-of their
employment during the war.
He wished, however to read a report.
The President had appointed an ad-
visory committee to aid the American
delegation. The members Of this COM
mittee were gathered together, men and
women, from all fields Of activity, from
all parts of the country. and repre-
sented every shade of public opinion.
The committee had considered this sub
! ect and the subcommittee to which II
was referred was headed by a dis
inglished admiral Of the American
,avy. The report was debated in full
committee and was unanimously adopte1
even by those who were prepossessed
aga nst the submarine. He read this
report. not as an opinion Of the Ameri-
can Government but as report OF the
advisory committee, which was created
| IN order that the American delegates
might be advised as to public opinion.
American Report on Subs.
The chairman then read the following
report on submarines adopted by the adj
visory committee Of the American dele
cation on December 81. 1921:
"In the recent world war the sub
| rine was used in four general ways: /:
"(A) Unlimited use against both
enemy and neutral non-combatant mer-
chant vessels.
| "(B) Use against enemy combatant
vessels.
"(C) Use as mine planters.
| "(D) Use as scouts.
| Whatever is said about unlimited
warfare by submarines Is also true OF
| limited warfare by surface craft, pro-
| vided the combatant wishes to violate
the rules OF war. The Confederate cruis-
! ers destroyed all property, but not lives.
| The English expected the Germans In
the latter part OF the world war to use
surface craft for unlimited warfare and
had provided means to offset this How
| ever. the Germans with one exception
| were unable to get out of the North Sea.
The Moewe, a surface Ship sank ALMOST
all merchantmen that she came into con-
| tact with, saving the lives of the crews.
| So that unlimited warfare is not neces-
sarily an attribute OF the submarine
| alone.
Undersea Boats and Trade.
Submarines against commerce.--The
| unlimited use Of submarines by Germany
| against commerce brought down upon
| her the wrath OF the world, soldifled il
| against the common enemy and was an
| important cause of the United States en-
tering the world war.
"The rules of maritime warfare require
| a naval vessel desiring to investigate
a merchant ship first to warn her by
firing a shot across her bow, or in other
ways and then proceed with the examl
nation OF her character, make the de-
cision in regard to her seizure, place
prize crew on her and, except under GER
tain exceptional circumstances, bring her
into port, where she may be condemned
by prize court.
1.-THE rules of procedure Gs1O as laid
down for United States Navy vessels
when exercising the right of visit and
search, make no exception in favor of
the submarine. In the early part OF the
world war the German submarines ex-
ercised this right Of visit and search in
the same manner as surface vessels.
When sunk the papers and crew of mer-
chant ships so visited were saved.
Later. when the cases came up in 81
German prize court sitting on appeal
at Berlin, the responsibility OF the Ger
man Government was often acknowl-
edged and indemnities paid. When un-
limited submarine warfare commenced
in some cases whore necessary evil
dence was produced by the owners
making claim In the prize court. the
court decided that the matter was out
side the pale OF the prize regulations
though II did not deny the justice OF th,
| claims.
"Assuming that the merchant ship
may be halted by a submarine In le-
climate fashion, II becomes difficult
| because of limited personnel for the SUBJ
marine to cornplets the inspection. place
prize crew on board and bring her
| into port II Is also difficult for her to
take the passengers and crew Of a large
| prize on board should circumstances
| warrant sinking the vessel However.
these remarks are applicable to small
surface craft as well.
Merchant Vessels Armed.
During the world war. on account
| or the vlunerability of the subma rine
and on account of the probability of its
sinking the vessels It captured. the ten
dency wos for all merchants ships 0n-
| cluding neutrals) to arm themselves
against the submarine. Such action
! greatly hampers the activity Of the sub
marines and tends toward illegal acts
both ~ the merchant vessels and by
! the Submarine. Warfare against com.
merce. even though starting according