Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-28
NAVAL YARDST|CK"
IS UNDER SCRUTINY
Proponents of Cut Believed
Ready to Discuss
Standard.
BY the Associated Press.

! BY the Associated Press.
A determination Of the functions of
the "yardstick. which has been pro-
posed to world powers by the United
States as a basis for future naval re-
duction, will next occupy Prime Minister
Macdonald and Ambassador Dawes in
their discussions in London.
The ''yardstick" is formula whereby
the comparative strength OF lighting
units would be reached by a considera-
ton OF the elements of speed, age. ar
NOR, gun power and other factors in
addition to that of the size OF the
units. Roughly speaking, it would deal
with q determination Of the value of a
British cruiser of 5000 tons, armed
with 6-inch guns and built in 1923. in
comparison with an American cruiser Of
10000 tons, armed with o-inch guns
and built In 1928.
Gibson Asked 10 London.
Hugh S. Gibson, American Ambss-
sador to Belgium and head of the
American delegation to the League of
Nations preparatory disarmament COM
mission, first proposed use Of the for
mula in a speech before the commits
sion April %. Ambassador Gibson
Secretary Stimson announced yesterday,
will return to London tomorrow for
further naval conferences with Ambas-
sador Dawes. After arrival In London,
Dawes Immediately began conferences
with the prime minister on the naval
question and enlisted the assistance of
Ambassador Gibson. In the forthcOm-
ing visit, during which Gibson is eX-
pected also to confer with Prime Min
lSter Macdonald, the functions of the
yardstick will be discussed.
One of the factors which will be
taken into consideration by Mac
Donald, Dawes and Gibson in their
conferences is that which was pointed
out by President Hoover in his state
ment Wednesday announcing suspen-
sion OF construction of three cruisers
pending the outcome of the naval dis
cruiser strength Of Great Britain con
siderably exceeds" that of the United
states at the present time.
Parity Is Problem.
Since a policy OF equality Of naval
strength between the TWO nations bls
been agreed upon, the feeling in officlal
circles is that some consideration must
now be given the question of how equal
ity or parity can be attained. II was
pointed out that parity between the two
nations, with consideration of their
tonnages alone, would either neceSsitate
the further construction Of cruisers by
the United States or considerable
decrease In the British fleet.
Since the yardstick theory proposes
consideration also of the elements of
speed, age, guns, etc. the length to
which IL is to be applied-or limit on
It's application-must now be deter
mined.
In official circles it was noted yester-
day that the trip of Ambassador Gibson
comedies with the adjournment Of
Parliament and the prime minister will
thus have more time to discuss the
general situation with the American
representatives. Since much ground
must necessarily be covered, this latest
problem being only one of many which
must be considered before any final
agreement is reached, 1t is felt that
some time must elapse before anything
definite will be announced by either
government.
In view of the amount Of technical
details which must be discussed In con-
nection with the yardstick theory and
other matters, any preliminary naval
conference which might bs contem-
plated by the prime minister, 1t is be-
lieVed here. would involve technical As
we'll as political discussions. The Lon
don discussions also involve the passing
Of full details of the talks to the
French, Italian and Japanese govern
ments who are equally interested in any
progress which Is made toward naval
reduction.