Article 22: submarines and merchant-ship safety

In 1930, submarines were small gun-armed vessels approaching the size of contemporary destroyers, yet tiny beside modern warships. Article 22 required submarines, like surface warships, to place a merchant vessel's passengers, crew, and papers in safety before sinking or disabling it. The exceptions were a merchantman's persistent refusal to stop or active resistance to visit and search. Ship's boats counted as safety only when weather, nearby land, or another vessel made rescue realistic. The contracting powers invited other states to accept the rule, and the article was to remain in force without a time limit. These prize-law protections addressed the legal and humanitarian problem created by unrestricted submarine attacks on merchant crews.