Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-22
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ton of the life of warships and the
total abolition Of submarines If other
nations agreed can allusion to the ex-
pressed British desire for reduction in
size of battleships).
.Thus we showed our willingness to
carry further the principle of reduce
tion," he declared. He then referred
to Mr.. Gibson's allusion to the equiv
alent Of naval values and said he under
stood from the reference that the
American Government had been
examining the problem with the object
Of arriving at some system OF equiv
alent values based on other factors
than mere tonnage.
1--WE entirely agree that 1t Is along
those lines we ought to investigate
the problem" he said. THE British
government has also been studying this
problem, but before we can hope to
achieve anything we should have the
advice of experts.
Careful Study Pledged.
IT am certain that any suggestions
Of this sort from the American Govern
ment will be examined most carefully
by the British government. welcome
the whole spirit In which Mr.. Gibson
has spoken and feel my. colleagues Will
feel the same because he has spoken
in spirit helpful to our work. His
declaration cannot be passed over
here because 1t is likely profoundly TO
affect our whole work"
Lord Cushendun was followed by N.
Sato of Japan, who announced TOXIC
had also been studying the question OF
categories of warshipS and was likely 10
have some proposals to make. He
stressed Japan's welcome OF the cordial,
friendly spirit of the American decla-
ration.
Count Massigli spoke for France. He
characterized the Americans statement
as one Of Cancellation and realization.
He said the controversy as to the best
method of limiting navieS had waged
two years and he emphasized tnat
France always preferred the flexible
method Of combining total tonnage With
tonnage by categories OF warships. 1t
was clear, he concluded, that the United
States was now ready to find solution
along this line and he assured his hear
ers that France was ready to facilitate
progress.
Soviet Sees Progress.
Maxim Litvinoff, the Soviet spokes-
man, seized upon Mr.. Gibson's recon-
mendation to scrap the word 'limita-
ton" as applied to lessening OF arma-
ment burdens as proving that the, United
States was supporting something pre-
viously launched by the Soviet dele
cation.
He criticized Lord Cushendun for
having stigmatized the Soviet proposals
as not serious and as unworthy the
work of the commission. He said he did
not know whether the American had
spoken in support Of the Soviet pro-
posal or in spite of 1t, but what was
important, he commended, was that the
principles necessary to work had been
supported by delegation Of one Of the
leading powers.
Canada In Accord.
w. A. Riddell of Canada welcomed
the declarations of the great naval
powers He expressed the hope that
the Kellogg pact, to which FIR. Gibson
had referred as opening an unprece-
dented opportunity for advancing the
cause of disarmament, and the other
security agreements would be. appraised
at their full value.
Never before had the nations Of the
world been in better position for the
maintenance Of peace than at present.
he declared, adding that Canada was
willing and anxious to lend every aid
in bringing about to the fullest extent a
possible realization Of constructive re-
suits.