Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-08
London Conference Presents
Contrast to Gathering of
Sea Powers in 1921.
U. S. HOLDS NO TRUMPS
AS IN FORMER Meeting
Government Finds Itself Unable to
Offer Reduction in Cruiser
Building.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
As viewed In advance from Washing
ton, the forthcoming London naval con-
ference presents a picture in historic
contrast to the memorable outlines of
the gathering of the sea powers here
In 1921.
President Hoover, as well as the dele
gates who are to sail from New York to-
morrow, see pathway beset by dificul-
ties, to be successfully traversed only
by patient Flooding. They give every
evidence OF confidence in the ultimate
result, but they recognize fully that the
circumstances and the methods of 1921
are not the circumstances and the
methods of 1890.
Speaking a word of farewell yesterday
to members of the delegation. the Presi-
dent adjured them to be patient, and
called upon the country to bear with
confidence and patience the ordeal Of q
diplomatic discussion which may last for
many weeks from the opening session
on January 81. He said no hurried
conclusions" were expected, but predict
ed that eventually the spokesman of the
United States, Great Britain. japan,
France ana italy would fnd a common
OASIS Tor ending naval competition and
permanently promoting peace.
Contrast Between 1880 and 1921.
The contrast between London in 1890
and Washington in 1921 runs deeply
into the diplomatic fabric of the world
guest for universal understanding on
the sea.
At the Washington Conference Sec
rotary Hughes stirred the emotions by
the direct and forcef,ll manner Of his
diplomacy from the very moment the
first session opened He laid before
the aStonished delegates of the other
powers complete and sweeping pro-
posal for reduction of naval ornaments,
running from the biggest to the littlest
ships OF war. Not all of it was ac-
cepted In the end. but it furnished an
accelerating impetus to quick and de-
clslve progress from the outset.
AT London. Secretary Simpson uro-
poses course of quiet, persistent effort
wholly devoid of diplomatic fireWorks
NOT only that. but If thu expectations
or the chief American deleRate ave
borne out, none of the other powers
VIII begin the negotiations by talkinr
IN detail OF what they must have for
national security. or by sounding any
other note which might jar on the
sensibilities of any of the conferecs.
Mr.. Hughes, in the beginning, saw
an opportunity to smash through oh
stacles by the sheer weight Of an as-
gressive attack. Mr.. Stinson discerns
in the present different set of circura-
stances no such possibility: he depends
rather on the force OF undemonstrativp
personal contact and the rule Of try
and try again. D..
Situation Is Reversed.
Certain physical features of the siti,a
ton throw additional illumination on
the parting words of President Hoover
and the known purposes of Secretary
simpson: In 1921 the American Gov
eminent held. so to speak, a handful of
trumps in the form Of a great battle
snip Meet, regarded by American states
men as beyond the absolute necessities
OF peace. The United States was able
70 lay on the table q momentuous offer
to restrict construction.
But at London In 1880 the United
States 1nds itself behind. rather than
ahead, in certain unrestricted classes of
warcraft, notably cruisers. There has
been no hint that President Hoover Is
willing to sacrifice any considerable per-
centage of the 15-cruiser building pro-
gram. The Americans will have offers
to make In other directions. They want
the holiday in battleship building con-
tlnued. they would be content with a
reducing destroyer strength.
and they would like to abandon the
submarine altogether. But the worlds
discussion OF naval armament in recent
has thrust the cruiser In the
very first rank of controversy, and It is
at this very point that the American
Government finds positive limit on its
ability to offer reduction.
Senate Must Agree on Plan.
Although the President is charged
with conducting the foreign affairs Of
he nation, the treaties he makes must
Dc ratified by the Senate before they
come into force. Whatever might be
MS own idea of an appropriate sacri-
ice in the interests of peace, Mr.. Hoover
has not been permitted to forget that
he negotiations Of treaty unaccepta-
Die to the Senate would be useless The
cruiser building program had strong
support in the Senate from both parties,
wen at time when 1t was known that
ONE such negotiation as that proposed
It London was within the realm of
likelihood.
Throughout his preparations for the
conference. the President has conferred
many times with Senate leaders. They
lave told him frankly their opinions as
o the value placed on q strong cruiser
leet by Senators who in the past have
'een influential in the consideration Of
appropriations for the Navy. He sends
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