Measures Against Piracy

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22197, 14 September 1937, Page 8

Measures Against Piracy

The scheme for suppressing piracy in the Mediterranean approved by the Nyon conference has certain obvious defects. In the first place, the claim by the signatory States that the sole object of -the scheme is to enforce respect for international law is somewhat weakened by the exclusion of both sides in the Spanish civil war from all benefits under the naval patrol system. The sinking of a Spanish vessel by a submarine which does not disclose its identity is just as much an act of piracy as the sinking of a British vessel in similar circumstances. Those who* claim to enforce international law cannot also claim to decide to whom the law applies. In the second place, procedure under the scheme is so complicated, and opens up such wide possibilities of legal dispute, that it is not likely to be effective. There is, for instance, no way of dealing effectively with submarines which use false colours as long as patrol vessels are prevented from interfering with submarines operating on the surface in conformity with the provisions of the London Naval Treaty of 1930. Yet it is probable that, in spite of its defects, the scheme will halt the rapid deterioration in the situation in the Mediterranean, and on that account relieve international tension. The importance of the Nyon conference lies, after all, in the attitude of the participating States rather than in the course of action agreed upon. Great Britain and France have refused to abdicate their responsibilities in the Mediterranean and have for the first time since the outbreak of the war in Spain disregarded the wishes of Germany and Italy. What is equally important, they have received the full support, of all the