The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-07-11
Causes POstpOnement of Plen-
ary Public Session, Des.
tined to Be Bitter Debate
Between u. S. and British
Delegates
Geneva, Switzerland. July II

Geneva, Switzerland, July IL.
-(P(-What was rcg& rded ~
significant change In the British
attitude toward the cruiser prob
lem was evident this afternoon
when It was announced in au-
thOritivc British circles that If
Great Britain and the United
Estates could agree limit the num-
Der Of 10000 ton cruisers to
about 10, Great Britain would he
prepared to accept the American
maximum total tonnage figure Of .
100000 tons.
The idea back of this plan
was that II only . small pro-
portion Of tonnage were expended
upon the larger cruisers, Great
Britain would have enough. ton.
age left to maintsin the num-
Der of small cruisers which sac
regards 40 necessary tor inc
needs of the empire.
Geneva, July l1.-(P)-Thc tragic
death of the Irish statesman, kcvln
O'Higgins, yesterday has by some
strange destiny Of events served to
prevent any immediate collapse o1
the tripartitc naval conference.
Out Of respect to MIR. O'Higgins
who was present at Geneva only las,
week as the, representative at the
conference Of the Irish Free State
the delegates today decided to post
pone indefinitely the plenary public
session which had been requested
by w. c. Bridgeman, head Of the
British delegation. Mr.. Bridgcmar
had asked for the meeting in order
to give the British delegation an op.
portunity to restate its position or
the cruiser problem. to clear up VIVA,
he called misunderstanding and t<
ask . series Of questions o. ths
American delegation.
Today's projected session had been
considered potentially filled with
danger. The American delegation did
not desire it because it believed that
little good could be achieved by 6
public debate Of this nature. Tht
Americans were ready, however, t.
answer any Of the questions which
the British might PROFOUND ane
might even have asked few ques.
tions themselves.
It is Understood that the Japanese
like &he Americans, looked with some
apprehension upon the projected ses
sion because Of the risk that things
would be said which. might provoks
the "blow up" Of the conference.
Late last night, the British, pre-.
sumably as the result of some Of
ficial word from London, suggested
to Hugh Gibson, head Of the Amer
lean delegation, that the meeting be
postponed. Mr.. Gibson answered thai
as the British had requested the ses.
sion, it is they who should assume
the responsibility and initiative o1
having it called off.
Spend Sleepless Night
This reply resulted in no actor
and virtually all the delegates to the
conference spent sleepless night as
result, for all knew that the con.
ference was on the brink Of preci.
pice.
Mr.. Bridgeman finally decided te
convoke the meeting Of the British
-and dominion delegates this morn
ing to take sone final stand and il
was just before this meeting opened
that official announcement was re.
ceived that Mr.. O'Higgins had been
sssassinated.
The British proposai. which. was "a
have been taken under consideration
is the aame as advanced several dava
ago. Itsapproaches the cruiser prob.
lem from new angle by suggest
ing an agreement on building pro
grams. the idea being to give the
United States>sn opportunity to catch
up with Great Britain should thl
Uuitsd States decide to pursue new
cruiser construction. The American
delegates continue studying the prop.
osition. but insist that inevitably II
will envolve translation into term,
Of total tonnage which must be KEEP
down to . maximum Of 100000 ton,
IN erder TO obtain American endorse
.meut.