Evening star., 1922-01-04
PARLEY TO KEEP Up
WAR ON SUBMARINE
Delegates Will Fight to Put
Real Curb on Craft in Spite
of French Claims.
BY n. O. MESSENGER.

1t is quite evident that submarine
warfare is to be the subject of very
serious discussion in the arms confer
ence, wide divergences of views and
policies already being apparent. 1t
also appears that the present confer
ence will try to make advanced steps
in the direction of control of the sub
marine as an agency of destruction.
despite the temporary check given by
Frances baking at the submitted
plan for limiting submarine tonnage.
One especially difficult question is
presented in the suggestion that mer-
chant vessels must not arm against
submarine attack. It is contended
that unless submarines are barred
from assailing merchant ships en-
tirely the former, must not be de-
prived Of means of defense when as
sailed.
1t also seems to be on the cards that
efforts to rule the submarine from the
seas entirely are not likely to avail.
The preponderating view in the con-
ference is that as a means of defense
nations and to large countries with
an extensive coast line.
Enforcement Big Problem.
The most practical phase of the
whole controversy is classed as being
the difficulty of enforcing whatever
agreement is reached. Human nature,
and the first law of nature-self
preservation-present complications
in assuring the carrying out of agree
ments by nations in times of critical
stress.
The tendency of a country whose
national existence might be threaten
ed to resort to any means, however
desperate, to save itself, is recognized.
But the optimists in the conference
tnink that great progress toward
minimizing the inhuman practices of
submarine warfare can be made
through an agreement of the parties
to this conference, to be concurred in
by other nations of the world.
Virtually Same as Cruisers.
When piracy and the slave trade
were denounced by the majority SEN
timent Of the world those practices
finally vanished. The first step in
the direction of eliminating the sub
marine will be to classify as piracv
certain phases of operation of nnder
sea vessels.
The submarine of the future will
not be an under sea vessel, however
except in the possibility to submeree
IN emergency for self-defense and for
attack. S The projected types are yir-
with power to go thousands of miles
from home bases and stay out for ex.
tended periods
At the outset of the conference Mr..
Baifour, speaking for great Britain
proposed to stop the building Of such
types and to restrict construction to
submarines that might physically
conform to the theory that thew
should be intended as a line of home
defense and not for aggression,
Hope to Work Out Details.
When Japan and Italy Announce
their acouiescence in the principle Of
all the American propositions for
control Of submarines, as France has
now done, there is hope that the de.
tails may be worked out for agree.
ment upon the application of humani.
tartan rules, which will at least con.
stitute q start toward limiting their
use.
This, with the agreement already
reached as to the size and armament
of auxiliary vessels. will be classed.
1t is said, as a practicable and vain.
able contribution to the spirit of lin.
ttation OF naval armament.