Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-23
GIBSON AND CECIL
! CONFER WITHOUT
NEARING ACCORD
U. S. and British Delegates
Explain Respective Plans at
Private Meeting.
AMERICAN Is HOPEFUL
OF EVENTUAL SUCCESS
viscount Defends Proposed Reduc-
tion in Size of Warships-Saito
and Jones to Meet.
BY the Associated Press.


GENEVA. June 23.-Lord Robert
Cecil, British delegate to the Tri-
partite Naval Conference, and Hugh
S. Gibson, chief OF the American dele
cation, today held a private meeting
TO discuss the proposals OF their re-
spective countries for further naval
limitations.
No advance toward an eventual
agreement was made at the confer
ence, the most reliable information be.
ing that both confined themselves to
an explanation ard defense OF their
respective proposals.
Mr.. Gibson, who was accompanied
by Allen w. Dulles, juridical expert
for the American delegation, emerging
from the meeting, told newspaper
men, however, that there was no rea-
son for being less optimistic about
the outcome of the conference.
He said that the peoples Of the
United States, Great Britain and
Japan were all anxious to find an
agreement and were convinced that
only patience and good will among
the delegates were needed finally to
work out a common basis for an
accord.
agement in the solution of individual
problems" he said, but without this
existing, there would have been no
need to call the conference"
Hopeful of Agreement.
Questioned by an English corre-
spondent as to why Washington per-
mitted convocation of the conference
and proclamation of Emergencies in
public without having negotiated
with London and Toxic confidentially
in advance in an endeavor to work
out some sort of an agreement be-
forehand, Mr.. Gibson answered that
such a procedure would have pro-
voked a general outcry because it
would indicate that the United States
was not proceeding openly for the
discussion of the various problems
involved.
Mr. Gibson emphasized that he and
Tiscount Cecil had examined the
British and American proposals in
an attempt to understand their mu-
tual positions and added that MOTH
ing had occurred thus far which
would justify less hopefulness In
achieving final agreement.
Some difficulties lay in the fact
that our three navies have different
missions and different problems, he
said, 80 we must find common de-
nominator for everybody and solu-
tions acceptable to everybody"
Cecil Does Most Talking. ~
1t is understood that Viscount Cecil
did most of the talking at today's
private conversation, and that in de-
Tending the British project, he EN-
phasized the great economies which
its adoption would effect through re-
ducing the sizes of individual war
ships. 1t also is understood that he
characterized the American proposals
as lacking in definite scope because
they were restricted to obtaining maxi.
mum tonnage figures to only three
types of auxiliary warcraft.
1t is believed that Mr.. Gibson took
the position that it was both unwise
and impossible to reopen the Washing
ton treaty, as would occur If the ton
mage figures to only three types of
auxiliary warcraft.
1t is believed that Mr.. Gibson took
the position that it was both unwise
and impossible to reopen the Washing
ton treaty, as would occur If the Brit
ish proposal for reduction in the size
of battleships was considered. The
American delegates, ii is believed,
pointed out that the second Washing
1881, will be convoked before the time
arrives for the replacement Of any
battleships of the great naval powers.
and that in 1881, France and Italy.
who are not participating in the pres
ent conference, will be present to take
part in the discussion of all problems
connected with the sizes of the bigger
naval units, including cruisers.
Expected to Oppose Changes.
The impression prevails in Geneva
that the American delegation is so
convinced of the fairness of its prof
ect that it will not countenance any
fundamental changes, although natu.
rally it will be disposed to make con-
cessions on details which are custo-
mary at international conferences.
Admiral Viscount Saito, the Japa-
nese naval expert. and Rear Admiral
Hilary +. Jones. the American expert,
are scheduled to hold a private con-
versation late today and a meeting of
the executive committee of the con.
ference has been convoked for Friday
morning.
Geneva, newspapers go so far as 10
deduce from yesterdays meeting be.
tween Mr.. Gibson and Admiral Saito
that the United States and Japan seem
10 be taking the first step toward an
America MIA apa anese alliance. but there
are no indications at Geneva Of such
q development.
Cruiser Strength Emphasized.
Cruiser strength has been empha.
sized by the American delegates 10
the trip3rtite naval conference. and
from the private discussions that have
been proceeding it appeared today
that the Americans do not look for in.
Surmountable difficulties in arriving L
some arrangement with Japan for a
proportionate strength in this type of
Warshlp as between the two countries.
While the Japanese are averse TO
the application of a ratio system that
could place their country in an infe.
rior position, it is thought likely that
Japan will accept a cruiser tonnage
giving her only slightly higher pro
portion than 5-3-that is, for the
United States and 34 for Japan.
There were indications today that
another problem of the conference
was in the way of a settlement
problem raised by Great Britain'S
proposal for a reduction in the ton
mage of future battleships and air
craft carriers and the size of thiei
craft carriers and the size of theil
types of warcraft were reached at the
Washington naval conference of 1922
and the American delegation is un
n,istaka bly, opposed to any direct re
consideration of these agreements.
Consequently, ii ia thought likel
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