Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14
Broad and Technical Points
Are Studied at White House
Conference.
STIMSON EXPLAINS
REASON FOR MEETING
Negotiations Make Farley Between
Civilian and Naval Officials
Desirable, Secretary Says.

A conference at the White House to-
Gay between President Hoover. Secre-
tary Stimson. Secretary Adams. Under
secretary of State Cotton and members
Of the Naval Board on the question Of
naval limitations, dealt with both the
broad and technical points of the dis
armament problem.
After the White House gathering.
Stimson said the naval negotiations
had reached the point where It was
desirable to have a conference between
the naval. experts and the civilian
members of the Government who are
dealing with the subject.
The civilian officials are keeping in
close touch with the naval advisors, the
Secretary added, and were deSirous Of
in the naval problem.
Conference to Study Views.
The conference he continued. was TO
make sure that no differences In their
points of view might become vital. add
ing he knew of none at this time.
In reply to questions regarding the
part which the naval experts will play
in the Limitation discussions. Stimson
said they would be given full consid-
Grafton
stimson said the conference was in-
formal and was not called to discuss
any crisis arising in the naval limite =
tions question. but that the correspond
ence on the negotiations between Am
bassador Dawes and Prime Minister
Macdonald of England was considered.
Cotton In Touch with Jones.
The White House declined to reveal
the details OF the discussion beyond
saying that it had to do with the pro-
posed "yardstick" method of effecting
reductions in naval ornaments. It was
added however, that both Secretary
out Of the city for the past week or
so and that the conference. had to do
with developments occurring within
that time.
Joseph p. Cotton, the Undersecretary
Of state, who has been dealing with the
naval question for the state Depart.
ment, has been In constant touch with
Rear Admiral Hilary p. Jones, Ameri-
can observer at the preliminary dis
armament conference at Geneva, and
other members Of the Navy general
board for the past several days.
Mr.. Cotton conferred for more than
two hours last night with Admiral
Jones, but both the admiral and the
State Department refused to discuss
the nature of the. conference.
So far the State Department has been
silent on the naval question.
One possibility in the conferences be-
tween the State Department and the
general board, Is that the American
Government rapidly Is approaching the
conclusion Of its formulation Of naval
"yardstick."
Gibson Proposed Yardstick.
The yardstick was proposed by Hugh
s. Gibson at the last meeting of the
Preparatory Disarmament Commission
at Geneva as a means of determining
relative naval strength with conSidera-
tions of the factors of speed, armor,
age and guns in addition to tonnage.
The various powers were expected to
confer during the Summer with their
naval experts with a view to devising
and submitting a formula to the pre-
ever. that the United States has not yet
submitted its formula at Geneva.
Immediately after Secretary Adams
and members of the naval general
board returned to the Navy Depart
n1ent, the Secretary called Admiral
Charles F. Hughes, chief Of naval opera.
tions, and president OF the board, and
Rear Admiral Jones, into conference.
The other members Of the board also
went into session.