Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-22
GIBSON IS LIKELY
TO REPRESENT j. s.
At GENEVAPARLEY
Four Technical Experts. Two
Army and Two Navy.
Tentative Aides.
BY the Associated Press.

Subject to final action by Presi.
| dent Coolidge. plans for American par
ticipation in the Geneva arms limita.
ton preparatory discussion are TAX.
ing shape on the basis of assigning
Minister Hugh Gibson as commits
sioner with four technical experts
two from the Army and two from the
Navy-to assist him.
The President is waiting for Con
gress to complete action on the $50, 900
appropriation he has requested, now
caught in the Senate Legislative block
ade, before making his selections
known. There Is some concern at the
delay, as the delegation should sail not
later than February IL The Original
February date for the opening of the
preparatory commission session is
not postponed due to the differences
between Russia and Switzerland. NJ
official word on this point has been
received.
Working Up Data.
In the meantime d group of experts
is working up data ana policy outlines
| for the American delegation. They
are anticipating a general round-table
exchange OF expert views at Geneva.
since the commission will not have
power TO make treaty commitments.
1t is increasingly evident that the
| Washington Government is hopeful of
definite progress toward formulation
OF satisfactory aSenda for an actual
conference, or series Of conferences.
for arms limitation as result of this
somewhat informal. although officia ,
canvasSlnS of expert opinion. In some
quarters 1t is believed that several
conferences Will result and that limit
ing agreements will be attempted d
step at a time.
President Coolidge has indicated his
hope of calling supplementary naval
conference in Washington. His in
, Slructlons to American delegates, how
| ever. arc expected to show an open
minded attitude in that regard.
The delegation will have no formula
OF its own to propose. particularly as
10 land ornaments, which is still re-
garded as an essentially European
problem. Regional security and arms
reduction agreements fan in the same
class.
Basing Armament Scale.
The Americans will have decided
views. however, as to the useleSSness
of attempting to base any relative
scale OF ornaments on calculation of
the ultimate war power of nations
| They feel that there is no practical
way of dealing with anything but the
actual forces to be maintained in
peace times. In preparing for the
Washington naval conference thew
tried out all the possibilities of calcu-
lating the military value of merchant
without success. They were forced to
fall back on status QUO proposal as
to actual fighting ships already built.
Another point of chief interest to
the Americans at Geneva will be the
air fleet limitations discussion. SO
far no project has come to light for
q solution of that problem. but the
increasing cost of air ornaments in
all countries, including the United
States. Is forcing considera ton of
every possibility Of doing away with
competitive building of fighting air
craft. There is no indication that
the American experts have been able
to discern any basis for attempting
10 deal with civilian aviation as a
military auxiliary.
In the event that committee work
at Geneva requires additional officers,
the small group to so from WASH
ington will be supplemented by draft
ing qualified military and naval at.
taches now on duty in Europe Their
records have been surveyed by the
two departments with that in mind