Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-11
Text of II. S. Sub Stand
Susceptibility of Underseas Craft to abuse" in War
as an Effective Offensive Weapon Is Cited by
Stmson in Plea That They Be abolished.

before us would not be complete I'M
less they were stated. However 1t seems
clear to me that we have but to brush
aside what are, after ala, secondary
considerations. II We are here TO-DAY.
1t is because there is All insistent and
growing demand on the part OF the
nations OF the world that we revise
our ornaments In the Light of the SOL
emn covenants If the Brianu-Keiiogg
pact, and the mutual confidence engen-
dered by it.
We cannot but feel that for this con-
ference. called under such Influences
70 sanction an instrument OF war, the
abuses OF which we're directly respon-
Slble for calling the Western World into
the greatest European war OF history,
would be a contradiction upon the pur-
poses for which we have met.
l am not speaking OF theory. am
speaking of historical fact, and fact
which human experience shows is like
ly to be repeated.
Weapon That Can BE Abused.
The essential objection to the sub
marine is that it is a weapon particu-
larry suspectible to abuse; that it is
Suspectible of use against merchant
ships in way that violates alike the
laws Of war and the dictates Of hui
manity.
The use Of the submarine revolted the
conscience Of the world, and the threat
of its unrestricted use against merchant
ships was what finally determined the
entry of my own country into the con-
f1ict. In the lifetime of our experience,
it seems clear that in any future war
those who employ the submarine will be
under strong temptation, perhaps ire
sistible temptation, to use it in the way
that is most effective for immediate pur-
poses, regardless of belligerence. These
considerations convince us that techni-
cal arguments should be set aside in or
der that the submarine may henseforth
be abolished.
We have come to the conclusion that
our problem is, whether in this day and
age, and after the experiences of the
last war, the nations of this conference
are justified in continuing to build these
instruments of warfare, thereby assum-
ing responsibility for the risk of repeat
ing in any possible future wars the in
human activities which have been con-
demned by the verdict of history.
Would Eliminate Future Dread.
1t Semei to the American delegation
that we have common interest in the
abolition of the submarine; first of all,
Tor the purpose Of SuppreSSing costly
weapons which we can forego by agree
ment and by the abolition of which we
reduce our requirements in other
classes Of ships: and, second. for the
purpose Of eliminating for the future
the dreadful experiences of the past.
The American delegation, therefore,
urges that they set aside purely techni-
cal considerations and give careful study
to the possibility Of eliminating this
whole problem.
In conclusion I wish to make it clear
that we are not disposed, even If 1t were
possible, to carry this proportionally on
emotional grounds; we look upon it as a
practical and commone- measure
directly in line with the limitation and
reduction OF ornaments which the peo-
pies OF the world expect us to attack
resolutely and successfully.