New-York tribune., 1921-12-23
Lord Lee Calls Undersea
Craft Inefficient and
Brands Them Weapons
of Murder and Piracy
Failure of German
Campaign Is Cited
France, Italy and Japan
OpposeView; Council to
Consider Issue Tuesday
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Dec. Zz.-kule5
for submarine warfare, the purpose
Of which would be to make impos-
sible such atrocities as shocked ths
world when perpetrated by Germany
in the late war, probably will bs
drafted by the Armament Limitation
Conference and submitted to the ma
tions of the world for approval
This development followed the
opening by Lord Lee for Great Brit
ain of her case for the abolition of
the submarine, begun in to-day's ses-
sion of the armament limitation COM
mittec.
The key to what may come was
supplied toward the conclusion Of
the meeting, after France, Italy and
Japan had all turned thumbs down
on the proposal to abolish SUBJ
marines. 1t was in brief talk of
Secretary Hughes for the United
States, in which, after Withholding
Americas comment on the proposal
to abolish submarines until further
study could be given the British case,
he spoke Of the possibilities of in
ternational rules for the use Of this
weapon.
Would End Outlaw Acts
Mr.. Hughes laid particular emphasis
on the thought that necessity must not
be admitted TO be q Justification fer
wanton acts by submarines and urged
on the contrary that submarines should
be compelled TO comply with all the
old rules of search and seizure, which
would make torpedoing without warn
ing and jeopardizing the lives of pas
sengers of peaceful ships outlaw acts.
Such international rules are urged in
the report of the American advisory Z
committee made pub ic tonight.
On this the British position was
made clear afterward by an authorized
spokesman. The British feel that no
rules which may be laid down in peace
time will be trusty reIiances in time
of war. Sooner or later in the conflict,
this spokesman pointed out, one side
gets its back pretty vel up against
the wall and at that time the tempt
alton to use every sort of method,
whether out awed or not, is too s.rong
to be resisted.
"The only effective way to enforce
sucn rules" the spokesman fer Britain
declared, would be to have group OF
nationsI hope this term is discreet;
you notice | am not saying league or
association-bind themselves absolute
ly. so that if one nation violates the
rules laid down for all then all the
rest will go for that one"
Submarine Failure Charged
The British contention, briefly. ic
that the submarine was not shown DUR
ing the war TO be successful defensive
weapon. 1t was not able to hamper the
movements of British fleets. It was
impotent to check the movements over
seas of troops amounting in the case
of the British Empire alone TO 15,ooo.-
900 men 1t was impotenC to caeck
the movement of American troops TO
France. It was successful only against
unarmed, unarmored merchant ships.
Therefore, we ask said the British
spokesman, why do you want subma-
rines? What do you intend to do with
them 9''
After the conclusion Of Lord Lees
speech in the committee VI. Sarraut,
head of the French delegation, repIied
briefly, saying that France needed the
submarine as a defensive weapon. He
opposed not only the abolition of the
submarines but also the limiting Of
their size.
For Italy Senator Schanzer also OPP
posed the British proposal, while Hsni-
hara, for Japan, also contended that the
submarine was essential.
II e
the proposal, but expressed his ideas
about the drafting of international
rules for the conduct OF submarins
warfare The committee then ad-
journed until tomorrow afternoon.
French Figures Not Ready
The meeting to-day turned to the
ish submarines, because the French
were not ready to present their claims
as 30 the amount Of tonnage of SUBJ
marines and other auxiliary craft
which they wish to be allowed. It was
at the suggestion of the French that
the committee proceeded with the
question Of abeIishing the submarine,
rather than TO 60 ahead with dizcus-
sion OF auxiliary ship ratios.
Expectancy seemed TO be tonight
that the cor sideratioH Of the auxiliary
ship situation would be reached by
Monday, so that 4 public session cculd
be held Tuesday ut which this would
be reported. The British desire TO
make their appeal TO the world on ths
submarine question at public seq
sion, and this viii probably be dona
at the next open meeting, now exc
rected for Tuesday.
The communlquc issued after the
committee meeting was in the form Of
a paraphrase Of the statement by Lord
Lee and by the representatives of tha
other powers in reply or by way Of
coransent The communique, IN re-
porting Lord Lees statement, said:
~Lord Lee said that. as he understood
it, the present position was one Of
agreement Letweeu the FIVE powers IN
regard TO the ratio Of capital ships, but
that all the powers were equally En-
committed on the subject Of s1aks
marines, small craft and suxfliariex
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