Evening star., 1921-12-23

THE EVENING ;
and that the disadvantages exceeded
the advantages except for war on the
mercantile marine. The submarine
was the only class of vessel for
which the conference was asked to
give-he would not say a license.
but permission to thrive and mul-
tiply: IT would be a great disap-
pointment if the British Empire dele
cation failed to persuade the confer
ence to get rid of this weapon. which
involved so much evil to peoples who
live on or by the sea- ~
Would Scrap Fleet.
To show the earnestness of the
British government in this matter.
Lord Lee pointed out that Great
probably the most efficient submarine
navy In the world, composed Of 100
vessels of $4,000 tons She was pre-
pared to scrap the whole Of this great
fleet and to disband the personnel.
provided that the other powers would
offer to the world. and he belieyed it
was a greater contribution to the
cause of humanity than even the lim-
itation Of capital ships
However 1t was useless to be blind
to the facts of the position, and he
hardly hoped to carry with him all
the powers present at that table.
though he believed that in the end
all civilized powers would come round
to the British point of view. In any
event the British empire delegation
did not intend that the settlement in
fected if they failed to carry their
point in regard to the abolition Of
submarines. Should he fail to con-
vince his colleagues, he would never
theless welcome any suggestions for
the reduction and restriction of sub
marines which they might like to
make. and, in particular. he would
await with the greatest interest the
proposals Of his French colleagues.
which had been promised earlier in
the day.
Upon the conclusion of Lord Lees
remarks the chairman said that he
did not intend then to comment upon
the very able and powerful argument
of Lord Lees to which the members
of the committee had had the priv
ilege of listening. but he merely wish
ed to interpolate a statement giving
i
naval experts and upon which the
American proposal was based. con-
cerning the submarine tonnage built
and building. since these figures did
not appear to coincide with those re-
ferred to by Lord Lee. According to
as follows:
United States, $4,000 tons
Great Britain, 82,464 tons
France. 42.s5O tons.
Italy. 20.228 tons.
Japan, 31.400 tons.
L. $. Leads In Subs
The United States has. therefore. S5.-
900 tons. which it is prepared to reduce.
The reduction is slight. but it is a re-
duction 1t was. OF course. not the inten-
ton to increase but to reduce.
Mr.. Surraut, in paying tribute to the
able statement of Lord Lee, Joined with
the other delegations in expressing his
profound disapproval of the barbarous
use which Twas made of submarines in
the late wah.
Tie French delegation recalled the
fact that the question of the use Of sub
marines had already been dealt with
during the discussions at the peace con-
ference. as well as by the league of ma
tions. and that public opinion had shown
itself favorable to the continuance Of
submarines.
the submarine was pre-eminently a de-
fensive weapon, especially for nations
scantily supplied with capital ships.
In its present state, the submarine
had proved itself to be unequal to gain
ing control OF the seas. and could not
be considered as a dominating weapon
More cover. it was undeniable that the
submarine could be used under honor
able conditions: and it was certain that
these conditions SHOULD be examined, dis
cussed and formulated in such a way
as to determine the laws of sea warfare,
in conformity with the lessons and pre-
cepts drawn from the late war.
In view of these facts. the French
delegation, therefore, felt called upon to
give its approval to the use of the SUBJ
marine, under the restrictions already
outlined. 1t wished to point out that.
in view of the technical considerations
| governing the use at sea Of these ves-
=; sells. subject as they are to frequent
| withdrawal from service, it would be
necessary for a navy to possess num-
T, ber of them which would be proportion
ate TO the needs Of national defense.
Needed for Colonial Defense.
| The French delegation wished, more
| over, to observe that the use of large
subma rineS was under existing condi-
| tions. undoubtedly more in accordance
with the laws Of humanity. which de-
mand that the crews of torpedoed YES
sells should be rescued. Finally, sub
marines with a large cruising radius
are, in the opinion Of the French dele
cation, necessary to assure the defense
| Of distant colonies and possessions. as
| we'll as to maintain the safety Of lines
| country and the possessions or colonies
l for which she is responsible.
Mr., SchanZer said: I'VE have been
listening with the greatest attention
and sympathy to Lord Lees import
ant speech.
| tion I wish to declare with the great
est sympathy upon anything that can
make war less inhuman.
| 1.-The Italian delegate in the SUBJ
committee for poisonous gases, in
this same conference. proposed the
abolition Of these gases.
Nevertheless, the submarine ques-
| tion is mainly one OF a technical
nature. Lord Lee has asserted that
submarines are not efficient means
| OF defense.
Our naval experts do not share this
opinion. They think that the sub
marine is still an indispensable weap-
on for the defense Of the Italian
coasts, which have very great ex-
tension and along which some Of our
! main centers. our principal railways
and q number Of our most important
industrial establishments are stu
ated. Our naval experts are further
more of the opinion that submarines
are necessary to protect the lines of
communication of our country. which
for the greater part depends upon
the sea for it's supplies. We are not
ready today to resolve these doubts
of a technical character.
Italians Against Ban.
I'VE venture to observe, moreover,
| that we do not think this conference
in which only Ave powers are repre-
sented could reaolYe tha question of