Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-06
Submarines.

The London Naval Conference is to
discuss submarines at a plenary Ses-
sion on Tuesday Each Of the five
nations represented is expected to state
its position with regard to the under
sea craft at that time Britain has
taken the lead in the effort to abolish
the submarine. In this, largely for
humanitarian reasons, the United States
has been willing to go along with the
British. The French, the Italians and
the Japanese, however, cling to the
submarine on the ground that it is the
most effective naval defensive weapon.
Under the circumstances, there seems
not the slightest possibility that the
London Conference will agree to do
away with the submarine. 1t is pos
sible, however, that the nations may
find 1t possible to limit the size and
tonnage of submarines, and to adopt a
set of rules humanizing the use of sub
marines in war. Indeed, it is already
intimated that France will propose such
set of rules.
tated ever since the Washington Con-
ference on naval limitation in 1922,
when the British recommended doing
away with the undersea craft. France
at that time was strongly opposed to the
proposal and nothing came Of it. When
the London Conference was suggested,
the submarine again was in the fore
ground for discussion. The plenary ses-
sion on Tuesday ought to settle definitely
the question of abolition of the Subma-
rines. Once the conference has deter
mined the impossibility-if it is impos-
sible-of doing away with the subma-
rines by treaty agreement, it should
be possible to make more speed.
The demand by Great Britain for the
abolition Of submarines, following her
experience In the World War, when Ger
many launched an unrestricted subma-
rine campaign on British and neutral
merchant ships carrying supplies Of
any kind to Britain, is entirely natural.
1t was felt at the time that the subma-
rine was the greatest menace to the
successful conduct of the war by the
British, notwithstanding the fact that
in the end the British Navy. with the
aid of the Americans, was able to win
through in this contest for supremacy
OF the seas The British now advance
the idea that the submarine is not really
effective and that its unrestricted use is
merely an inhuman attack upon non
combatants.
The French, the Italians and the
japanese, who do not expect to have |
allotted to them equality in tonnage of |
naval vessels under any agreement that !
Is entered into for naval limitation, on
the other hand, cling to the undersea |
craft as a real weapon Of defense |
against foe with q more powerful |
navy. 1t is not unnatural that they should |
do so. The United States, with its vast |
coast line and many harbors to defend |
IN case Of war, might well find the sub
marine useful in defense. This, coun- |
try, unlike Britain, is not compelled to |
depend upon a continuous line of yes
sells carrying foodstuffs to its shores. |
1t can weigh the advantage of sub
marines as a weapon of defense, with
out placing in the balance the posi- |
biity Of being shut on from its food
supplies, with starvation a possibility |
that might arise In the event of an |
effective submarine blockade If the |
country had to depend upon incoming |
vessels for food.
If the French, the Italians and the |
Japanese are sincere in their insistence |
that the submarine is to be used espe- |
cially for defensive warfare, it may be |
possible to limit the size and thereby |
the cruising radius of the undersea |
craft. A submarine of 5000 tons, such |
as the French Navy is now constructing, |
capable of carrying 11-inch guns and air |
craft, and having a cruising radius that |
would carry 1t half around the world, Is |
something else. It is a weapon of |
offense. The debate on Tuesday in the |
naval conference should be enlighten-
ing as to the real aims of the nations in |
regard to the use of submarines.