Evening star., 1936-01-15

over her submarine warfare, was
placed in the committee record.
Part of the conversation ran as
follows:
Lansing-The fact that we do not
have Americans on these vessels does
not remove the menace to American
lives. The sinking of neutral vessels
shows that Americans cannot travel
with safety on neutral vessels even.
That Is the serious part Of 1t and I
do not know how your government
can modify submarine warfare and
make it effective and at the same
time obey the law and the dictates
of humanity.
"War Never Humane"
Bernstorff-Of course, war is never
humane.
nsing-"Humanity" is a relative
expression when used with war" but
the whole tendency in the growth OF
international law in regard to war
fare in the past 125 years has been
to relieve non -combatantS Of needless
suffering.
Bernstorf-Of course, I think it
would be an ideal state of affairs,
but our enemies violate all the rules
and you insist on their being applied
to Germany.
Lansing-One deals with life, the
other with property.
BernStorff-YeS.
Lansing-The German method
seems reckless to me. 1t is as II man
who has a very dim vision should go
out on the street with a revolver in
search of an enemy and should see the
outline of a figure and should imme-
diately fire on him and injure him
seriously and then go up and apologize
and say he made a mistake. do not
think that would excuse him. That
seems to be the course pursued by
your submarine commanders-they fire
first and inquire afterward.
Bernstorff-I myself can not at all
explain how 1t comes that so many
neutral vessels have been attacked. I
have not the slightest evidence. do
not know anything about it from our
Lansing-My view is that certain in
struments of war are not proper to use
under certain conditions, and that is
the viewpoint that has largely been
held in regard to the submarine as
commerce destroyer. You cannot and
10 not know the nationality of the
boat attacking. It attacks without
being seen and so avoids responsibility.
It gives every opportunity to kill in
and recklessly.
Attitude on Retaliation.
Bernstorf. I perfectly agree with
you that sinking without warning
would have to stop entirely. Sinking
without warning is an international
,ffense and that Is why I thought pos
'ibly my government might give up
;he retaliation, but I do not think it
would be possible to say we would
give up submarine warfare. do not
,hink we would do it.
Lansing. And If they should now
sink another vessel it would be very
is the way I look at the
situation.
Bernstorff. And If they continue the
submarine warfare and an instance
hould happen directly after the break
If diplomatic relations, if that should
,ome. it would be still more serious.
Lansing. That Is logical.
Bernstorff. That Is why I look at It |
10 seriously.
Lansing. do not feel that break
ng off of diplomatic relations neces-
arily means war.
Bernstorff do not say 1t myself,
,ut I do not see how 1t can be |
.voided. If we refuse it will be be-
;ause we are to continue submarine |
warfare and then something might |
happen which would mean war. I
anne to see If something could not be |
lone.
Lansing. I am very much obliged
o you for coming in, sir.
Bernstorf. Goodby, Mr.. Secretary.
Lansing. Goodby.
House Diary Excerpt.
Senator Clark read an unpublished |
excerpt from the House diary, dated |
June %, 1915, as follows:
II believe the French and English
ire prolonging the war unnecessarily.
It Is stupid to refuse our preferred |
Intervention on the terms I proposed
n Paris and London. made it clear /
o both governments that in the event
# Intervention we would not coun-
enance Q peace that did not bring
With it . plan which would make for
peace, 50 far as human
oresight could do 30. Il Germany
eflsed to acquiesce in such SETTLE
nent, ! promised we would take the
art Of the allies and try to force It.
"It would mean the end Of mill
arism, but 1t would also mean an end
STEAMSHIPS.
and an Europe-De