Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-13
Naval Reduction Discussion
Apparently Certain, Though
Results Are in Doubt.
KELLOGG EXPLAINS ISSUE
between u. S. AND PARIS
Patient Effort to Reconcile Two
Schools of Thought on Disarm-
ament Is Advised.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

President Coolidge's plan for a con-
ference at Geneva on further naval
| limitation promises to bear fruit. The
formal replies to the Presidents sug-
gestion are expected to assent to dis
cussion.
Whether these discussions will lead
to an international agreement, limit
ing cruisers, destroyers. submarines
and other auxiliary craft, is another
matter.
France, according to reports re-
ceived here, may assent to a con-
sideration of the proposed naval pact,
supplementary to the Washington
treaty on capital ships. but will make
very serious reserves" 1t is in
timated that the representatives Of
France may not be empowered to
negotiate a separate naval treaty,
dealing with all types of auxiliary
craft. particularly submarines, as pro-
posed by President Coolidge.
Italy Probably a Member.
The acceptance by Japan and Great
virtually a separate conference on
practically certain, with acceptance
by Italy a probability.
France has been distinctly opposed
to q separation OF naval limitation
from limitation of land and air
strength since the beginning of the
preparatory conference of the powers
under the auspices of the League of
Nations in Geneva last May. just as
the United States has been favorable
to that plan. 1t remains to be seen
whether France will be influenced by
the acceptance of such a plan by the
other four powers.
While 1t aWaitsSthe replies to the
American meraurandum favoring a
separate naval aleAgreeuent. the Amer
lean Goyernnh}4M is forging 8head
with its pref fattons for coutRaing
Its participatien In the. genefM nTse-
'paratory conference on arni Iir
ton az Geneva.sN =,
Expense Fund Is Favored.
From the. House foreign affairs COM
mittee, chairnan Porter yesterday
REPORTED fayarably bill authorizing
the appropriation of $4,000 for the
continued participation of American
delegates at the Geneva preparatory
conference, which Is soon to resume
its sessions in Geneva. The appropria.
tion win be included, 1t is expected, in
the next deficiency appropriation bill.
Chairman Porter may ask special
rule for the consideration of the
authorization bill this week. The re.
port of the bill by the committee was
unanimous.
At the same time the bill was re.
ported, letter from Secretary kel-
logg of the State Department TO the
committee chairman recommending
its passage, was made public
In this letter Mr.. Kellogg declared
that the preparatory conference, not
wfthstanding reports to the contrary,
had made progress In it's meetings last
year. He said, too. that the ''thesis"
presented by the United States rep
resentatives for separate consideration
or naval. land and other arms limita.
tfon had found favor finally with half
of the conference.
U. s. VIII Not Withdraw.
The Secretary of State makes 1t
clear, in urging that the United States
continue its participation in the
preparatory conference, that this Gov
ernment does not intend to withdraw
and give to other nations the oppor.
tunity of declaring that the failure of
the conference Is due to this country.
The United States Is not to be made
the scapegoat for failure at Geneva.
Congress-. 1t was predicted last night
will put through the appropriation Of
$4,000 for continued participation
In the Geneva conference, and will
add to 1t, If 1t becomes necessary.
President Coolidge has proposed that
separate five-power conference, with
full power to negotiate a treaty limit
ing naval auxiliary craft. be initiated
In Geneva while the work of the gen.
era1 conference proceeds.
If France and Italy should not be
prepared to enter into such naval
limitations negotiations, then it has
been proposed informally that the
United States, Great Britain and
Japan go ahead with a treaty limit.
ing cruisers. This might be under
taken, but the administration at pres
ent is considering only the five-power
negotiations proposed by the Presi-
dent.
French Position Reviewed.
At the Washington conference,
when the present naval limitation
treaty covering capital ships and air
craft carriers and limiting the size
and the gun caliber of cruisers was
entered into. France took firm stand
against the limitation of auxiliary
craft In accordance with the then ex-
listing strength Of the various navies.
France was strongly opposed also to
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