SUBMARINES IN WAR

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21510, 27 June 1935, Page 11

SUBMARINES IN WAR

I | NO UNRESTRICTED ! USE I GERMAN PROMISE FOURTH POWER TO AGREE TO RULE ipamsM OITICUL \VIRW.E»S.) (Pieceived June 26, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, June 25. Germany has undertaken never again to resort to unrestricted submarine warfare. This important fact was made known in the House of Commons today by the First Lord of the Admiralty (Sir Bolton Eyres-Monsell), who was replying to a question asked by Vice-Admiral G. Campbell, V.C., D.5.0.. as to whether, during the recent naval discussions, the German representatives had revealed the policy of the German Government on the use of submarines in war. The First Lord said: ''During the discussion on many points of detail concerning the existing naval treaties the German representative:; stated that Germany was prepared to adhere to the rules regarding submarine warfare as set, out in Part IV. of the London Naval Treaty, and to accept them for herself, irrespective of whether they are adhered to by all other powers.' The First Lord read the rules referred to and added: "Tins means that Germany has agreed never again to resort to what was known during the war as unrestricted submarine warfare." Part. IV*. ot tin? London IS aval Treaty reads as follows: — "The following are accepted as the established rules of international law. First, in their action with regard to merchant ships, miint)arities must conform to rules of international law to which surface vessels are subject. Second, in particular, except in the case of dots is tent refusal to stop on being duly summoned or of active resistance to a visit oi search, a warship, whether surface vessel or submarine, may not sink or render incapable of navigation a merchant vessel without having first placed the passengers, crew, and the ship's papers in a place of safety. For this purpose a ship's boats are not regarded as k place of safety unless the safety of* passengers and crew is asMired in the existing weather and sea bv the proximity of land or the presence of another vesM.'l which is in a position to take them on board. •'The high contracting parties invite all other powers to express their assent to the above rules.' Heplvim- to further questions, the First Lord said Part IV. of the London Treaty was signed by Great Britain, the United States, Japan. France, and Italy, but the only powers judicially bound by it were Great Britain, the United States, and Japan, because France and Italy did not. ratify it. It. wa.s true that, Germany as wen as Great Britain favoured the abolition of submarines, but, unfortunately, at present other countries were not agreed upon such a step.

TALKS IN LONDON THREE OTHER POWERS 'l° ISC INVITED (*nin.>u 'JITKIA'. wir.r.u::--:0 RUGBY. June 25. The Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin) staled tu-day that it was proposed lo invite representatives of the French, Italian and .Soviet Governments to visit London for discussion on naval armaments. lie could, at the moment, give no further information. NO IMIITISII ARMS FOR GERMANY QUESTION ABOUT METALS I' NANSW EREI) LONDON. June 25. In the House of Commons, Mr Walter Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, in reply to a question, said no licenses were issued or applied for last year for the export of armaments to Germany. Mr D. Kirkwood (Dumbarton): lias not Great Britain all along exported to Germany nickel, wolfram, tin, and copper, giving her power to make armaments which she could not make without them? The Speaker called the next question. .