British and French Plan Approved By Nyon Conference

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22196, 13 September 1937, Page 9

British and French Plan Approved By Nyon Conference

NO PROTECTION FOR SPANISH MERCHANTMEN Submarines to be Attacked and Sunk For Illegal Action (CJKTKD PRESS ASSOCIATION— COITRIOHT.) (Received September 12, 11 p.m.) LONDON, September 12. The Nine-Power Conference concluded its meeting at Nyon last night after adopting the French and British proposals for immediate action to prevent submarine piracy in the Mediterranean. The proposals provide for the policing of the Mediterranean by French and British destroyers, and for vigilance to be exercised by the other signatory Powers in patrolling their own territorial waters. The proposals have been forwarded to the Governments of the Powers concerned for signature, and another meeting will be held at Nyon early this week. It is expected that the measures approved will be put into operation on Tuesday. An explanatory communique from Nyon announces that neither Spanish party will be accorded belligerent rights. Naval vessels will counter-attack and, if possible, destroy any submarine attacking a merchantman not belonging to either of the Spanish parties contrary to the international law laid down in the London Naval Treaty of 1930. The patrol vessels will also counter-attack any submarine in the vicinity of a merchantman attacked in circumstances giving valid ground for the belief that the submarine was guilty of the attack. The British and French fleets will implement these decisions in the Western Mediterranean and Malta Channel, except the Tyrrhenian Sea, which may be the subject of special agreements. The British and French fleets will also operate on the high seas and in the Eastern Mediterranean except the Adriatic Sea, but riparian Powers will be responsible for their own territorial waters and shall also allow the use of their ports. The communique adds that to facilitate the measures no , submarines belonging to the participants shall enter the Mediterranean unless accompanied by a surface vessel or operating in defined exercise zones. The Powers will not admit a foreign submarine to their waters unless it is a case of urgent distress or the vessel is accompanied on the surface. The* Powers will also advise their merchantmen to follow agreed routes. It is understood that at least 60 destroyers will be employed, it of which will be French.