New Britain herald., 1926-01-22
GIBSON MAY HEAD
 J. 5. DELEGATION
Army and Navy Men Also on
 Geneva Arms Committee

Washington, Jan. .2 Opl -- Sub iect 10 final action by President Coolidge, plans for American par. 'lclpation in the Genega arms limi- tation preparatory discussion are taking shape on the basis of as. signing Minister Hugh Gibson as commissioner with four technical experts two from the army and two from the navy - 10 assist him.
 The president Is waiting for con. gross 10 complete action on the si0,000 appropriation he has re- quested, now caught In the senate egislative blockade. before finally making his selections known.
 There Is some concern at the de- lay as the delegation should sail not later than February fl the original February date for the opening Of the preparatory com mission session is not postponed dle 10 the differences between Russia and Switzerland. No official word on this point has been re- Ceived.
 Tn the meantime group of ex- perts Is working up data and policy outlines for the American delesa- ion. They are anticipating a gen eral round-table exchange of ex- pert views st Genega since the commission will not have power to make treaty commitments.
 It Is increasingly evident that the Washington government is hopeful of definite progress toward formu- ation Of a satisfactory agenda for an actual conference, or a series Of conferences, for arms limitation. as a result Of this somewhat informal although official canvassing of ex- pert opinion, In some quarters 1t is believed that several conferences will result and that limiting agree ments will be attempted a step at q time.
 President Coolidge had indicated his hope of calling a supplement tary naval conference in Washing ton. His instructions Co American delegates. however, are expected 10 show an open minded attitude in that regard. The delegation will have no formula Of its own to pro pose. particularly as 10 land arma uent, which is still regarded as an essentially European problem. Re eonal security and regional arms | raduction agreements fall in the same class.
 , The Americans will have decided
 views. as 70 the uselessness Of at | tempting 10 base any relative scale ! of armamenfs on calculation of the
 ultimate war power of nations.
 They feel that there is no practical |, way of dealing with anything but 1. the actual forces 10 be maintained , jn pcacetimes. In preparing for tho ' Washington naval conference they | 'ried out all the possibilities Of cal cuiatlng the military value Of mer- 1 chant fleets and other auxiliary !, clements without success. They : were forced 10 fall back on status | quo proposal as 70 actual fighting ! ships already built.
 Another point Of chief interest { to the Americans at Geneva will b" 1 t'e air fleet limitations discussions
 So far no project has come 10 light ! for q solution Of that problem, but |, the increasing cost Of air arma- . nents in all countries including the ! 1nited States with competitive . i,3ildinG of fighting aircraft There is no indication that the Amercan ! cxperts have been able to Iischrn . 2ny basis for attempting 10 deal . Wlth civilian aviation as a military auxiliary.
 Tn tho event that committee , work at Geneva requires additional { officers. thn small group 70 go | rom Washington will Inc supple ! menrcd by drafting qualified mili- . 'ary and naval attaches now or , duty in Europe. Their records hay" ' befn surveyed by the two depart ! ments' with that in mind. |,