Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-06
BY the Associated Press.

Py the Associated Press.
The text of the address Of Ambassa-
dor Hugh S. Gibson before the prepar-
atory disarmament conference at Ge-
neva today, as made public by the
State Department, follows:
Mr.. Chairman: I made my general
statement as to a possible method of
approach to the naval problem early
in our present session chiefly in order
to afford other delegations an oppor-
tunity to consider it from every aspect
and determine to what degree they
were in a position to discuss it at the
present time.
After my statement we learned that
certain other governments are making
analogous studies which should, OF
course, be taken into account in any
general discussion. Today we are told
that certain governments feel that in
order to deal with the matter effectively
and expeditiously they require time for
careful exploration of the possibilities
opened by the American suggestions.
In my opening statement 1 said that
I would be prepared to discuss propos-
ais when We reached this chapter on
our agenda. but obviously this readiness
was entirely contingent on the knoWl-
edge that other delegations felt pre-
pared to enter upon the subject.
Must Study All Angles.
The solution of the naval problem
is in essence simple but in application
complex The technical considerations
involved must be studied from many
angles and the American delegation rec
ognizes that our best hope of agree
ment upon a method lies in having
each country come into the discussion
prepared to speak on the basis of its
independent study and in possession of
all the data that it desires
In view of the considerations I have
indicated, my Government feels that
the course best calculated to lead to
the successful conclusion of our labors
lies in giving time for a careful study
of this whole problem. 1t also feels that
in view of other analogous studies which
are being made it would not be oppor-
tune to embark upon detailed discussion
of our suggested method of approach at
the present moment. Perhaps the best
course is for me to restate what our
suggestion is in ssch a way as to af-
ford basis for the independent studies
which I hope will be made by other in
tereSted governments.
In substance, equivalent tonnage is
an expression used to convey the idea,
Tor comparative purposes. of the mill
tary value Of individual ships. and
hence of the total value of any num-
Der of such units in any given category
In which there may be wide diver
gences as to unit characteristics COM
posing the category In arriving at this
equivalent of value it would seem ad-
vlSable to take into account only factors
that are simple and obvious, easy to
compute and easy to understand.
Gives General Outline.
We feel that the problem should not
be complicated by the introduction of
factors which may well be considered
as really no more than elements of the
prime factors. In my general statement
on this subject l indicated certain fac
tors which include elements that enter
into the design of effectiveness. of in
d1vidual units, that is unit displacement,
gun callber. and age, as well as speed
and other factors.
My Government feels that in order
not to prejudice such studies as may
be pursued independently by other gov
ermentS it is best to go no further
than to outline our suggestion in this
manner. 1t will be clear that the
American proposal is no rigid plan to
be accepted or rejected. It is a Sug-
geStion that new method of approach
based on naval equivalents be explored,
and it is in order that there may be
complete liberty for independent stud