Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-02
Gibson Announces Withdraw
al and Explains Reasons
for Concession.
QUESTION OF ARMAMENT
IN SERVICE is RAISED
American Position on That Point
to Hinge Largely On Commission
Provisions, He Says.
BY the Associated Press.

GENEVA, May 2.-As an outcome of
last weeks withdrawal by the United
States Of objection to the non-limitation
of trained reserves, Hugh S. Gibson, the
American representative at the Prepar-
atory Disarmament Conference, today
announced withdrawal of the American
reservation concerning war material in
stock
At the opening of discussion on war
material, Mr.. Gibson said that the
analogy between material in reserve and
trained reserves was SO close that he
need only take moment to explain
the position.
Early Debates Reviewed.
Throughout earlier debates, he said,
the American delegation endeavored to
persuade the other delegations that ma
terial in reserve should be limited on
the ground ~ that it actually exists
In time of peace, (2) that it conferred
a decided advantage on its poSsesSor
should war break out and 90 that it
was important to make a clear dis
tinction between material in stock and
in service.
However, as in the case of trained
reserves, the American delegation was
prepared to make a concession and to
defer to the opinion of the countries
primarily concerned.
Material in Service Brought Up.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
delegate, asked whether withdrawal of
the American reservation referred to
material in service, whereupon Mr.. Glib
son explained that he had withdrawn
the reservation as regarded material in
stock, but was sorry that he was unable
to give precise answer to the American
position on material in service.
Its position on that point would be
largely, though not entirely, determined
by provisions which commended them
selves to the commission in dealing with
that subject.
rs'~ Japan Announces Change.
NJ Saito of Japan also announced
change In the attitude Of his country on
this question. Hitherto Japan had been
of the opinion that reduction in land
ornaments should be carried out solely
by means of reduction of electives but
the Japanese delegate said she had now
decided to consent to limitation OF
material
As regarded methods, NJ. Saito con-
sidered the best was indirect, through
budgetary limitation which would have
the advantage Of publicity. Direct
limitation of war material raised the
question of potential war and also the
delicate problem of control.
He concluded by remarking that his
statement referred to material OF land
ornaments only and not to material
of naval or air armaments.
Sweden Asks Direct Action.
Italy and Czechos,ovakia also sup
ported the idea of budgetary limitation:
but Sweden argued for a system OF
direct limitation.
Count Won Bernstorff, having made
plea for direct disarmament which he
said was mot unrealizable because it
had been realized in Germany" con-
cluded by observing pessimistically that
he saw the majority Of the commission
was preparing for limitation by
budgetary method.
Mr.. Gibson then rose to make clear
the American position. Recalling tne
American attitude at the Arms Traffic
Conference in favor of the fullest pub
licity. he said this attitude extended
to the creation and maintenance OF
ornaments. He was prepared to agree
to the broadest and most comprehensive
measures for publicity.
Holds Budgeting Method Illogical.
after exhaustive and sometimes ex-
hauSting debates on the subject OF bud
getary disarmament. my Government
still adheres to the opinion that 1t does
not present true picture"
Mr.. Gibson added that the budget
ary method was not logical one for
disarmament. owing to variations in
cost price, labor exchange values and
other factors. 1t would leave the door
open to all sorts of evasions and would
prove impracticable and ineffective.
IT am unable to accept any meas
ure for budgetary limitation" he con-
cluded.
Maxim Litvinoff, chief of the Soviet
delegation, supported his own proposals
for direct and detailed limitation. He
said that if trained reserves and ma
terial in stock were limited without
limitation also of war material, the
treaty would not be worth the ink used
to print it. The delegates were dis
emboweling the draft convention" he
declared.
The debate was adjourned until to-
morrow morning.