Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-19
Selection to London Conference
Prompted by 2 Considerations.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Selection to London Conference
Prompted by 2 Considerations.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Decision to send members of the Sem
ate to the London conference on naval
armament is prompted by two con-
siderations-firSt, the subject Is con-
sidered one for diplomacy and not tech
nical experts, and, second, the ratifi-
cation by the Senate of any agreement
reached is considered likely to be given
more readily If Republican and Demo-
cratic members of the Senate act as
Spokesman for the treaty when 1t comes
before the Upper House.
The last conference at Geneva was
saturated with the arguments OF tech
nical naval experts as the Shearer case
has revealed, so that the atmosphere
was not one conducive to an agree
ment. 1t is believed that the presence
of a civilian commission will keep the
discussion on a broad plane of inter-
national relations and good will, rather
than in the domain of pickering and
technical dispute. This Is in keeping
with the visit Of Prime Minister Mac
donald and his conferences with Presi-
dent Hoover.
StlmsOn Well Informed.
1t was natural that the President
should select Henry Stimson. Secretary
of State, to head the delegation because
he has followed infinitely the proceed
lngs on this side of the Atlantic and has
kept constantly informed through the
embassies and legations on the state Of
opinion throughout the world. Mr.
Stimson will be aided, of course, by
Hugh Gibson, American Ambassador to
Belgium, who Is perhaps the best posted
man in the American Government on
the whole naval armament question,
having had the background OF the
Geneva conference, where he was the
personal representative Of President
Coolidge. Mr.. Gibson is an intimate
friend of Mr.. Hoover from the days
when the latter was engaged in war
relief work. 1t has often been said that
Mr.. Gibson'S position at Geneva would
have been stronger II he had had
higher rank than that of Ambassador.
BY having at the conference a Secre-
tary of State, the American delegation
will be immeasurably strengthened. as
it will, too, by having important men,
bers Of the Senate.
Principle General Thus Far.
The problems to be dealt with in
London will involve of course a parity
between the United States and Great
Britain. but this is only a general prin-
ciple thus far, and it remains to be
seen whether this means reduction or
increase of building The Japanese
want reduction so their financial bur-
den will be diminished. Having an
nounced to the world that they will re-
ly on moral force primarily, the United
States and Great Britain will find lit
tie support for the maintenance Of large
nayies and the other nations will not
object to America and Britain being
equal, but they will wish to see both
navies reduced in size. In other words,
the conference may not be limitation
against upward building alone, but a
downward revision of naval strength.
Now that the American Government
has emphasized the Importance of the
Kellogg BRAND treaties as outlawing
aggressive war, the question is how
much armament is needed for defense
and against whom.
Copyright, 1929