The New York herald., 1921-12-03


New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, Dec. g.
The thinking classes of France are
to-day almost unreservedly in favor
of THE New York HERALD's plea that
inhuman methods Of warfare, such as
submarine attacks on unarmed vessels
and airplane bombings of towns,
whether with high explosives or gas,
be outlawed. and are virtually unani-
nous in calling on the Washington
Conference for the Limitation of Ar
mament to take up this phase without
delay.
Even military leaders-men whom
Germany's agents charge with inn
perialism-hold the same views in this
respect as do scientists, parliament
tarians, religious leaders and legal ex-
perts, and declare that the moment is
opportune for the world to try to set
tie once and for all time the question
OF whether future wars-if wars must
be continued-are not to be controlled
through higher ethical considerations
than IN the past IL civilizations NOR
ality is not to suffer from the barbaric
horrors which Germany forced all ma
tions to adopt as self-protecton in the
last great conflict.
French Attitude Explained.
While the French attitude may be al
legged by her enemies to be due to a fear
that her scientists are not equal to those
of Germany in the production of such
weapons Of warfare it Is significant that
Frenchmen do not place their plea either
for the elimination or the limitation of
such inhuman methods on this basis, but
declare that France. having suffered
more than all the rest of the world
combined from such unchristian and un-
civilized practices as were used by her
enemies, certainly must give the fullest
approval of any effort made in Wash
ington to take the world back to more
moderate standards, II the great aim of
the total abolition of warfare is ever
to be achieved
THE NEW YORK HERALD correspondent
here has in the last few days talked with
many French leaders in all social ranks
and has not found one who would refuse
TO sanction any international agreement
which would preclude the use of such in
human weapons as German ingenuity
evolved in the effort to conquer the
world. A majority appreciated fully
the fact that unless an effort was made
In washington there was nothing to pre-
vent land lustful nations from develop
ing their production OF such methods of
warfare to a point where the ideals of
the Western world would be seriously
menaced.
THE New York HERALD is to be COM
mended for the stand it is taking to re.
move the horrors of war from the world.
and while I fear many difficulties are
to be encountered before its aim Is
reached, it is always interesting to try
TO reduce barbaric instincts" said AL
fred Capus. a member of the French
Academy, to-day. above all there must
be suppressed the pretext for war As
long as there exists the idea that war
is justified there always will be nations
which will make use of inhuman methods
whether or not they are prohibited by in
ternational agreement.
ALI thinking people must rally to THE
NEW YORK HERALD's plea, because un-
less halt Is called war in the future
will become more barbarous, and the end
OF such a mad race of cruelty cannot be
foreseen. Certainly the time is ripe for
action, and IL the Washington confer
ence oan succeed in this task IL will
merit the plaudits OF the whole civilized
world"
Able Lemaire's views.
Able Jules Lemaire, well known Mem.
Der OF the Chamber of Deputies from
the Department of the Nord. considers
II the duty of mankind to devp.e every
fatar ..rI-
inhuman action, whether in war or in
peace, and IL the Washington conference
can deal successfully either with the
total or partial elimination of the use
OF gases and other Horrible measures
of warfare, the effort should be nj.
tempted immediately"
Gas especially should be outlawed
whether In the form of shells. bombs oy
proieotiles.' he continued.
"As to the question of Submarines. ex-
perts believe they are necessary for
coast protection. and It is possible that
an agreement might be reached where
by they would not be used in aggres-
sive warfare. Certainly. after exper.
fencing tho horrors of Germany's bar.
barism, France will not be found lack.
ing in any support of n movement of an
interna tional character, always provided
The former Minister Of Justice. G.
L'Hoppiteau, said: 1.-THE New York
Herald's idea is not only practicable,
but IL is desirable. OF course, Il must
be realized that the law is useless un.
less there is a gendarme in the next
street to enforce IL. However. I am
not in accord with those who hold that
an enormous army is necessary TO con-
troll prohibited forms of warfare. On
the contrary. mere threat of action
would be sufficient to deter offenders.
Every international conference, whether
in Washington, the Hague or Geneva.
the League of Nations Headquarters.
must try to reform human ideas. un-
ill the use of gas, airplane bombs and
other illegitlmate methods Of warfare
are effectively condemned"
Must Get Down to Basis.
Deputy Debrecq of the Department OF
Loiret, said: 'As wars continue they
viii become more and more barbarous
due to the natural evolution of human
ingenuity and scientific knowledge.
Therefore, unless we can get down to
the very basis of things and make
all the Powers understand that war Is
fundamentally wrong, there seems little
hone. IL the Washington conforonco