Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-17

portant concessions were made to her
own gun calibers.
The British and Japanese diverg-
encies on total tonnages were serious
The japanese held out for 100000
while the original British figure was
about 100000. AS the matter stood
at the close of Mr.. Bridgeman's con-
cessions today. the difference still
was serious.
Mr.. Bridgemans ideas on gun cali
bers, to go with his concessions In
total tonnage. are that instead of in
sisting on cruisers too small to mount
eight-inch guns. Great Britain would
solve that problem by limiting the
guns themselves to six inches. This
would curb aggressive power and al
the same time allow cruisers to be
built sufficiently large to have long
cruising radio in accordance with
wishes expressed by the United
States and Japan.
Tonnage Accord Held Possible.
That tonnage Emergencies will be
solved satisfactorily seems possible
after last nights definite challenge
made by the Japanese for the United
States and Great Britain. either to
quit bluffing or to accept the blame
for failure.
The Americans indicated today that
should a collapse seem imminent,
they would openly espouse the Jap
anese figures, thereby stamping
themselves as real limjtationists. Al
the present they are between the
large British demand and the small
Japanese figure, but have expressed
their leaning toward the smaller ton
mage.
II appears that Hugh S. Gibson
head of the United States delegation
has laid himself open to a diplomatic
coup de grace If the Japanese are
induced to switch over to the British
proposals.
At the plenary session last Thurs
day, Mr.. Gibson stated off1ciaily:
1--WE feel we are in such close agree
ment with the Japanese in respect
to total tonnage limitation ana ~
types of the cruiser class. we could
easily find the basis of an agreement
with them. II some basis Is found
which is mutually acceptable to the
British and Japanese we feel sure
it will be possible for the Americans
to make it complete"
Seek Japanese Compromise.
In brief. If the Japanese should
give up their demand for S.inch guns
on smaller cruisers, Mr.. Gibson would
have to capitulate or else repudiate
an official declaration.
Correspondents in position to know
regard Mr.. Gibson's statement as the
best British chance Of mailing the
Americans on the gun caliber ques.
ton. The British are making Hercu
lean efforts to reach a compromise
bargain with the Japanese.
That Mr.. Gibson was aware Of the
vulnerability in which this placed
him possibly was indicated by his
subsequent statement that "the &C
complishment of this agreement in
wolves a sacrifice on the part Of all
A permanent agreement, however. Is
worth more than any technical ad
vantages."
The Japanese tonight reafirmed
the unchangeability Of their total
tonnage figures, but expressed opti
mism that the British would meet
their demands eventually.
Jellicoe Goes to London.
Admiral Jellicoe of Britain went
to London tonight for a conference
with the admiralty. The American
delegation dispatched several cable
grams to Washington in the expec.
tation of clearing up several issues.
Should the tonnage issue be solved
the allotment Of cruisers Is forecast
at IL vessels of 10000 tons and of
5000 tons each for the United States
and with 8 of the former and Of the
later types for Japan. This would
make a ratio of $50, slightly in.