Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-20

! the British fleet at the battle of Jut-
land. is here as the representative
of New Zealand. of which he formerly
was governor. He came because all
the British dominions. including
Canada, have a voice in the confer.
ence as integral parts of the British
Empire. The fleets of the dominions
almost viii certainly be counted part
of the fleet allotted to the empire.
includes Australian Ships.
This is important because Australia
now is building two mighty 10,000.ton
cruisers. which possess a clear 20.
litical interest for Japan in the event
of trouble in the Pacific. Should
Japan try to get the British TO reduce
the strength of the Singapore naval
base. Australia and New Zealand I'M
doubtedly would be heard from in OBJ
lection.
The glass room of the League pal.
ace. where the conference is being
held. was arranged today the same as
for League Council meetings. The
delegates were grouped around the
table. which is in the form of a morse
shoe. with MIR. Gibson, as chairman
of the conference, occupying the cen.
ter seat. as does the president of the
Council.
Most of the remaining space in the
room was allotted to the, newspaper
men, there being little room left Gov
the public. Some embarrassm
was caused in working out the exact
status of the French 'informer, Count
de Clauzel, and the Italian observer"
Prince Ruspoli, naval captain. They
were offered seats at the horseshoe
table, but preferred to sit back of it,
as they have no mandate from their
governments to participate in the pro-
ceedings.
Hall Fills Up Early.
The conference hall filled up long
hefore the opening of the session. all
the delegates arriving early. DESPITE
the presence of numerous high.rank.
ing naval officers of Great Britain.
Japan and the United States. it was
noticeable that not a single uniform
was in evidence.
The arrival of Lord Cecil, one of the
best known figures in League of Ma
tlon circles. who has met American
delesates at many conferences under
League auspices, started a general
now OF friendly greetings among the
conference members.
Inc American delegates for the most
part wore severe afternoon dress. al
though several officers wore square.
cut double-breasted coats reminiscent
of their sea uniform.
Count ClauZel and Prince Rusnoli
the French and Italian observers took
seats behind the principal table. as
dld Sir Eric Drummond, general sec.
rotary of the League, and Lady Drum.
mond.
Gibson Elected President.
Just before presenting the American
proposals. Mr.. Gibson, who had for.
mally called the conference to order.
was elected president on the motion
or W. {. Bridgeman. first lord of the
admiralty. chief Of the British delega.
ton. Admiral Saito. head of the Ian.
ahese delegation, seconded the nomi-
nallon, and the election was carried.
Mr.. Gibson said that he wished to
give a very cordial welcome to the
representatives of France and italy,"
VINO VIII observe the conference, and
expressed the hope that they would
partake in the work of the various
committees.
Admiral Saito then moved that a
message OF greeting be sent to Presi.
dent Coolidge, on whose suggestion
the conference was summoned. This
motion was seconded by Mr.. Bridge.
man, and the text of the message was
adopted. Mr.. Gibson expressed graft.
tude for the thought of the Japanese
and British delegates and then bega n
his formal statement of the American
proposals.
CAVC rAnaNy ~Yrrx~r~c c,rr~r,r~r