Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-30
RESOLUTION To
GOVERN USE Of
SUBS ACCEPTED
BY COMMITTEE
Well Recognized Principles
Of International Law VIII
Apply to the Operation of
SubmerSibles,
SUBMITTED TO BOARD
FOR CERTAIN CHANGES
Second Root Proposal To
Make It Impossible To
Use Divers as Commerce
DeStrOyerS, Discussed.
(By The Associated Press, ,

(By The Associated Press.)
Washington, Dec. 29.--The first
OF the Root resolutions on the use
of submarines providing for their
operation under certain we'll recog-
nized principles of international law
was adopted in principle by the full
naval committee OF the Washing
ton conference late today and sub
mitted to drafting committee for
certain changes in minor detail.
The second Root resolution which
would recognize the impossibility
of using submarines as commerce
destroyers and would invite all ma
tions to give their assent thereto,
was taken up but discussion was
not completed and went over until
tomorrow.
In discussing the second resolu-
tion, however, the British declared
they would accept it only with the
understanding that 1t should be-
come Immediately effective upon it's
adoption as between the five pow
ers represented in the naval con-
ference in any war as between
themselves without waiting for
other nations to give their assent.
Debated All Day.
The naval committee OF the
Washington conference debated
the Root resolutions all day before
arriving at It's decision to turn
article one of the resolutions over
to q committee with instructions to
draft its language without modifi-
cations Of the principles stated in
the original proposal. Secretary
Hughes invited the discussion inn
mediately upon the convening of
the naval committee and Mr.. Bal
four, for the British group, de-
clared that providing article one
did in fact really embody the ex-
isting rules of warfare" he person.
ally believed 1t desirable that
"these should be reaffirmed in
their relation to submarine war;
fare"
Reiterating that he spoke only
for himself, Mr.. Balfour said he be-
lieved q formal and authoritative
statement that submarines had no
license to break the rules by which
other ships of war were bound
could do nothing but good"
Shares BaIfour's Views.
Admiral de Bon, of the French
group, said he shared wholly Mr..
Balfour's views and that the
French delegation gave ain princi-
pie our general adhesion" TO the
statement that submarines Should,
of necessity, be bound by the rules
of international law"
"But as this law is OF @ very
special nature" Admiral de Bon
said, at seems to us that the most
practical solution would be to refer
the consideration of the text sub
mitted by Mr.. Root to n committee
of jurists which would advise us as
to its opinion in regard to the
wording to be adopted"
Senator Sch, nzer said the italian
delegation had already given "our
fun adhesion to the aim to which
Mr.. Roots proposal tends" but
added the italians thought formu-
1ation of the rules of war for sub
marines should be examined by a
committee of jurists. The text of
the Root resolutions. he said, had
been cabled to Rome.
Appear TO Conflict.
Senator SchanZer pointed out
the Root proposals appeared to con-
flict, inasmuch as article one adj
mitted with certain reservations of
the destruction of merchant craft
by submarines while article two
definitely prohibits" use of sub
marines for destruction of mer-
chant ships.
'I should wish, therefore," he
L., -lat Fnrny
second resolution tallies with the,
first"
He also suggested that "a clear
definition of merchant craft might
throw light on the question IN
volved He invited an explanation
from Mr.. Root.
Borden Speaks for Canada.
Sir Robert Borden, for Canada,
said he understood Mr.. Root to
have set forth existing ruios
which had been or should have
been, the general practice in the
past to govern the action of ma
tions in time of war" and had no
doubt these rules were correctly
stated and should have been fol-
lowed by belligerent vessels during
the recent war, although in fact
they had been "wantonly violated
But Mr.. Roots proposal went
much further, he added, and the
signatory powers were asked TO
pledge themselves to recognize
"the practical impossibility of
using submarines as commerce de-
stroyers," without violating the ac-
cepted laws of war and to declare
their assent to prohibition OF the
use of submarines against mer-
chant craft and invite adherence
of other powers to this declaration.
The speaker said he thought il
wise and indeed essential in the
interests of humanity that this
proposal should be accepted" but
that the exact wording might be
considered by an expert body,
provided this should not prevent
action by this conference" Sir
Robert also declared himself in ia
vor of Mr.. Roots third suggested
declaration, holding submarine
commanders personally responsible
and subject to penalty for acts OF
piracy or any violation of the
rules, whether by order OF their
governments or not.
Japanese i'm Accord.
The Japanese delegation was in
accord with the substance of anti-
Gle one" of the Root resolution,
Mr.. Hanihari said, but he added
he believed the question should be
referred to experts for drafting.
Replying to Senator Schanzer's
inquiry. Mr., Root said II was obyi-
GUS article two could not be COM
sistent with article one, since il
-----
Continued on Page Two.s