SUBMARINE WAR

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 163, 26 June 1935, Page 5

SUBMARINE WAR

NEVER AGAIN TWO NATIONS AGREE German and British Policy TREATY RULES TO BE KEPT (British Official Wireleu.) (Received 26, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 26. Germany has undertaken never again to resort to unrestricted submarine warfare. This important fact was made known in the House of Commons to-day by the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Bt. Hon. Sir Bolton Eyres-Mon-sell, when replying to a question asked by Vice-Admiral Campbell as to whether during the recent naval discussions the German representatives had revealed the policy of the German Government as regards the use of submarines in war.

The First Lord said, “During a discussion on many points of detail concerning existing jjaval treaties the German representatives 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 accept them for herself irrespective of whether they were adhered to by all other Powers." The First Lord read the rules referred to, and added, “This means that Germany agreed never again to resort to what was known during the war as unrestricted submarine warfare."

Beplying to further questions, the First Lord said that 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 was true that Germany, M well as Britain, favoured the abolition of submarines, but unfortunately at present other countries were not agreed upon it. The Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, stated that it was proposed to invite representatives of the French, Italian and Soviet Governments to visit London for a discussion on naval armaments, but he could at the moment give no further information

FRENCH NAVAL STRENGTH

No Limit to Building ' (Received 26, 12.30 p.m.) PARIS, June 25. The Naval Committee unanimously affirmed that the Anglo-German naval agreement annuls the Versailles Treaty and consequently restores Franco’s entire liberty to build warships as she thinks fit. The committee has invited Government action ensuring that France will always have Mediterranean and Atlantic forces sufficient to assure security. M. Pietri pointed out that, including those at present being built ,the French fleet was 54 per cent, of the British, and included battleships combining qualities of offence, defence and mobility not achieved by any other nation. Moreover, the improved FrancoItalian relations would permit the transference of certain Mediterranean units to the North Sea and Channel fleets . Owing to the Anglo-German agreement the French Government will immediately ask Parliament for £2,700,000 for naval construction, including a 35,000-ton battleship authorised earlier in the year.