The New York herald., 1921-12-30
ROOT POINTS TOLUSITANIA,
DECLARING WORLD OPINION
CONDEMNS THE SUBMARINE
Lodge, Underwood and Hughes Second His Strong
Speech-Balfour Agreeing, Wants Five Big
Powers to Outlaw Ruthless Warfare
at This Conference

question that submarines should never
be used contrary 10 the principles of
the law governing war. The adoption
of the resolution might, Furthermore
avoid misunderstanding on the part
of those who were looking to the con-
ference with great hope
Mr.. Hughes also declared that the
resolution was of value because the
signatory Powers must remember,
should a difference arise between any
of them. that the weapons which they
possessed were not, as in the past, to
be used without reference to the laws
of God and man." This would greatly
detract from the value of submarine
feet" he added. as when nations
counted their weapons they counted
the use to be made of them as well as
their number.
NJ. Sarraut. for the French group,
made formal declaration Of the ac-
ceptance of France of the principles OF
the first Root resolution. France. he
said, was anxious 10 go further than the
mere adoption OF the resolution and
bring into effect agreement as to limi-
tatlon of submarine warfare to estab-
lished rules Of naval warfare through
"definitive text which would combine
all the assents of the Powers repre-
sented in the committee
Takes Up BaIfour's Fear.
The French delegate deprecated what
he said was an apprehension expressed
-
might. "in spite of everything. yield to
the temptation TO misuse the weapons
remaining in their hands For his
own part. he added he believed that
these peoples will reflect deeply be-
fore violating such obligations" and that
II the committee had any doubt of this
debate would not be worth while and
the committee would have but TO leave
this table"
"One must not deduce from abuses by
Germany" Mr. Sarraut said. "the idea
that inevitably others would commit
the same abuses"
With the first Root proposal on its
way toward adoption Secretary Hughes
laid before the committee the second
resolution as follows:
THE signatory Powers recognize the
practical impossibility Of using subna-
rines as commerce destroyers without
violating the requirements universally
accepted by civilized nations for the pro-
lection of the lives OF neutrals and non
combatants. and to the end that the
prohibition Of such use shall be unlver-
sally accepted as a part OF the law OF
nations they declare their assent TO such
prohibition and invite all other nations
to adhere thereto"
Changing Of the Law.
Mr.. Hughes said that. as Mr.. Root
had explained. this was a proposition
to change the law" as the first resolu-
tlon had attempted TO state the law. the
law which had been ignored and which
had been trampled under foot but
which nevertheless had been and still
was regarded as international law" The
chairman added that he assumed the
purpose of the resolution 60 change the
law was TO make this declaration Of
prohibition Of submarine warfare against
merchant craft a substitute for the first
proposal when the Powers OF the world
all had concurred In that substitution.
Pending such concurrence he explained
the first proposal would be the governing
law OF nations on the subject OF subma-
rlnes as expressed by the conference and
to which Il asks adherence OF Powers
outside It's circles.
Mr. Root agreed IN this explanation.
saying II required universal assent 10
establish n law OF nations" but that the
first declaration created nothing. mere
" certifying to what existed" white
the second called for an act by the
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Continued on Page Two.
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