Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-22
Another "submnrinc Mcnarc''

WHETHER the disarmament confer
w ence is to deadlock finally upon the
submarine issue, rs raised by France. which
is contending for 4 formidable feet OF sub
nersibles, or by Great Britain which is in
sistinE that all under-sea craft be outlawod
remains 10 he seen. The chances favor an
accommo dation of some nature and an
agreement which will save the conference
from collapse. Many crises" appear dur
ing the troubled proceedings such as are
now being staged in Washington but gen-
orally they are safely passed
MEANWHILE there is conviction which
will spread, as thoughtful men here and
abroad study the matter. that the subma rino
as weapon OF warfare should be abolished
in so far as international law and interna-
tional conferences can abolish it, While
the British delegation to the WASHINGTON
conference may not be able TO bring this
about here and now, if the nation which
these delegates represent will continue to
campaign against this type Of war craft.
the time will come when the sanest senti-
ment in the civilized world will go irresisti-
bly, to British support
1t is fact, clearly demonstrated during
the world war that the submarine was not
All efficient instrumcntality in naval combat.
1t did comparatively little damage in it's
operations against other armed craft For
a time. it was used with some effect against
British men-of-war, but ii soon was driven
from the battle area and even from the
original blockade zone, to prey upon un-
armed merchantmen. Only as commerce
raider was the German U-boat an important
factor In the war.
In other words, the submarine was an
instrument OF successful attack only upon
defenseless men, women and children upon
the high seas or against the civil popu-
Intions OF enemy nations. 1t undertook TO
do without sanction of international law
what the German navy could not do legiti-
nately, that Is, enforce paper" block
ade against the British Isles By resort to
ruthlessness, brutality and inhuman prac-
tees the German under-sea campaign was
measurably successful for time
II is against repetition of this sort OF
thing in the near or distant future that the
British are now throwing the full weight
OF their influence. They are opposing the
building OF French submarine feet, first.
They are opposing the construction OF any
offensive submarines next, and finally they
are pleading with representatives of other
powers to agree TO the scrappng OF all
vessels of this type offensive or defensive
In urging this the British should have the
fuli support Of the American group, even
X no other is willing TO subscribe. 1t Is
very easy to recall what America has suf-
fered as result OF the submarine. This
country sought to keep out OF the European
war. 1t had no quarrel with any belligercnt
II asked only TO be let alone. And it's neu-
trality was preserved without serious diff
Guilty until the submarine sank the Lusi-
tania. After that unspeakable outrage,
ia i'm -
became necessary for this peace-loving ma
ton TO enter the war in order to crush an
enemy that employed the submarine for
murder upon the high seas
The British may not triumph over the
suDmcrsible at once, but If they persist, the
world one day will outlaw that weapon as
recognized means OF warfare