Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-24

An outcry against the tragedies fol-
lowing the oily wake of the submarine
is echoed by large section Of public
opinion which demands prescription OF
this sinister weapon, called as deadly
in peace as In war. The recent British
disaster so closely paralleling the loss
of the Ssh is enough, some writer's feel,
to Danish the underSea boat from all
civilized naYies Others, reconciling
themselves to the necessity of this type
of ship, look hopefully to new safety
devices which will make its use less
perilous to its occupants.
why the submarine at all? The
question has been begged in numerous
disarmament discussions, but never
Soundly answered." says the Atlanta
Journal. with the conclusion: "If the
submarine is to continue existence, as
seems inevitable until a new plane Is
attained In international diplomacy. GER
tainly every effort should be applied to
increase safety measures in its opera
ton. 1t has no right to exist at all il 1t
cannot show service rendered to t1u-
mainly comparable to the tremendous
debt Incurred The ledger should be
made to show some sort Of balance, or
the submarines account lined of.
1T can never be made safe" declares
the st. Louis Post-Dispatch. 1T can
remain only what 1t is-a death trap
and an assassin. It's record in the World
War was that of the coward who strikes
in the dark while refusing battle. 1t
was the submarine that put the United
States into the war against the Central
powers. 1t is a despicable weapon. the
horror of Seamen. 1t is unworthy of
civilization and should be abolished. If
the world cannot get rid of 1t in the
dual reign of two such sensible moderns
as Messrs. Hoover and Macdonald, CIV
ilization will have missed great OPP
portunity."
AT the next disarmament confer
ence." according to the Ann Arbor
Daily News, "it will be strange If the
undersea fighting craft does not become
a topic of most earnest discussion, not
merely in terms of limitation. but in
terms of adjustment. America, Italy
and Britain-yeS, and Germany-have
good reason to look upon such vessels as
liabilities rather than assets. The world
would be better of without them, In
peace and in war"
"All the stronger naval powers
France. Great Britain. italy, Japan
and the United States" it is pointed
out by the San Antonio Express, have
suffered from these disasters. It Is time
they consider scrapping the subma-
rineS." That paper also remarks that
1.-The United States offer to abolish the
craft If all other nations will do like
wise, again is receiving attention in
Great Britain" and that cit is hating
the development of such craft by drop
ping six submarines from the current
program"
Looking forward to the development
that elimination Of the submarine is
likely to loom large at the next naval
conference, with England and America
in complete accord on this point" the
Rochester Times Union states: Led by
a Labor M. p, competent to speak on
this subject-Comdr. Kenworthy-a
campaign has started in the British
press for the abandonment OF the sub
marine altogether. The argument is
advanced that. whereas science and in
vention have lessened the casualties In
aviation and other branches. Of the War
Department. the toll Of submarines has
advanced with the years"
Its complete outlawry," In the
opinion Of the Flint Daily Journal,
could be accomplished without disturb
ing the balance of naval power which,
In the minds of naval experts, seems
SO essential. Great Britain and the
OllIbCu Ott1tCc .COAAPCAAC0t ~ ACUoul
this form of warfare because certain
other powers will not agree to abandon
it. Public sentiment against the sub
marine Is growing and every disaster
serves to crystalline this sentiment to a
greater degree" The Williamsport Sun
holds that "if the Macdonald govern
nnerlt is able to use these disasters as an
object lesson to induce the powers to
abolish the craft. it will have accom-.
plished great thing for humanity