Evening star., 1921-12-23

| chairman could not agree. however,
that these were in the same position
regarding submarines as they were
regarding. capital ships. since in the
matter of capital ships they repre-
sented the potency of competition.
| whereas. when dealing with subma-
rines-a more cheaply made weapon
they were dealing with what other
Even If they were ready to adopt the
principle suggested by the British
delegation they would still have to
await the adherence Of other nations.
Must Rely ON Experts.
Upon the question whether the sub
marine was of value for defense each
nation must take the opinion of its
naval experts; Indications Of these
differences of opinion had already
been manifested. He would not at
this time make any announcement Of
the position of the United States. ex-
bcept to add to the expressions of de-
testation of the abuse of the subma-
rine and of the methods-the illegal
methods. as they. have been continu-
ally called-of their employment dur
! ing the war.
He wished. however. to read re-
port. The President had appointed, an
advisory committee to aid the Ameri-
can delegation. The members of this
committee were gathered together
men and wOmen-from all fields of
activity. from all parts of the coun-
try, and represented every shade of
fconsidered this subject and the sub
committee to which it was referred
was headed by distinguished ad
miral of the American Navy. The
report was debated in full committee
and was unanimously adopted-even
! by those who were prepossessed
against the submarine. He read this
report, not as an opinion of the Amer
lean government. but as a report of
the advisory committee, which was
created in order that the American
delegates might be advised as to pub
lie opinion.
The chairman then read the follow
ing report on submarines adopted by
| the advisory committee of the Ameri-
can delegation on December 21. 1921:
| marine was used in four general
ways:
"(a) Unlimited use against both en-
emy and neutral non-combatant mer-
chant vessels
"(b) Use against enemy combatant
vessels.
'tc) Use as mine planters.
"(d) Use as scouts.
"Whatever is said about unlimited
warfare by submarines is also true
of unlimited warfare by surface
craft. provided the combatant wishes
to violate the rules of war. The
Confederate cruisers 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 eXcep-
ton were unable to get out of the
North sea. The Moewe. a surface
ship. sank almost all merchantmen
that she came into contact with, saw
ing the lives of the crews. So that
unlimited warfare is not necessarily
an attribute of the submarine alone.
Submarines Against Commerce.
THE unlimited use of subma-
rines by Germany against commerce
brought down upon her the wrath of
/ the world. solidified it against the
common enemy and was undoubtedly
1.-the popular cause of the United States
| entering the world war.
THE rules of maritime warfare re-
| quire a naval vessel desiring to in
vestigate a merchant ship first to
warn her by firing a shot across her
! bow. or in other ways. and then pro-
(. ceed with the examination of her
/ character. make the decision in re-