THE ESCAPE OF THE BREMEN

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 69, 14 December 1939, Page 8

THE ESCAPE OF THE BREMEN

In 1936 Britain signed a protocol, to which Germany was also a signatory, committing her to the observance of certain rules in the conduct of submarine warfare. The main principle of the protocol was that submarines were to be subject to the same rules as those governing the operations of surface warships in dealing with merchant shipping. In particular it was laid down that in the event of a ship being sunk the safety of the passengers and crew, and of the ship’s papers, were to be safeguarded. In this connexion the ship’s boats were not to be considered as adequate safeguards; weather conditions, the proximity of land—or of a ship capable of receiving the passengers and crew —were to be taken into consideration. From the beginning of the war Germany has persistently violated this principle and dishonoured her signature to the protocol. Britain has scrupulously observed the rules. That is why the Bremen was allowed to' escape. Had the position been reversed, had the Bremen been a British liner, and the submarine a U-boat, there would have been a different story to tell. Ihe Bremen was a rich and tempting prize, but it will redound to the credit and honour oi the Biilisli Navy that she was accorded the protection of a rule oi sea warfare which her own flag has dishonoured.