A.—7.

12

Article 21. If, during the term of the present Treaty, the requirements of the national security of any High Contracting Party in respect of vessels of war limited by Part 111 of the present Treaty are in the opinion of that Party materially affected by new construction of any Power other than those who have joined in Part 111. of this Treaty, that High Contracting Party will notify the other Parties to Part 111 as to the increase required to be made in its own tonnages within one or more of the categories of such vessels of war, specifying particularly the proposed increases and the reasons therefor, and shall be entitled to make such increase. Thereupon the other Parties to Part 111 of this Treaty shall be entitled to make a proportionate increase in the category or categories specified ; and the said other Parties shall promptly advise with each other through diplomatic channels as to the situation thus presented.

PART IV. Article 22. The following are accepted as established rules of International Law : (1) In their action with regard to merchant ships, submarines must conform to the rules of International Law to which surface vessels are subject. (2) In particular, except in the case of persistent refusal to stop on being duly summoned, or of active resistance to visit or search, a warship, whether surface vessel or submarine, may not sink or render incapable of navigation a merchant vessel without having first placed passengers, crew and ship's papers in a place of safety. For this purpose the ship's boats are not regarded as a place of safety unless the safety of the passengers and crew is assured, in the existing sea and weather conditions, by the proximity of land, or the presence of another vessel 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.