Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-11
Unlikely to Sign Agreement
Containing Plans, Gibson
Says at Geneva.
CUT BY DIRECT MEANS
HELD MOST EFFECTIVE
Washington Has No Objection to
Reduction of Expenditures by
Other Nations, However.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
GENEVA, November 11.-Unalterablt
American opposition to any limitation Of
armaments through a method of bud
getary restriction was announced by
Hugh S. Gibson, the Washington repre-
sentative, at the session of the Prepare
tory Commission on Disarmament here
today.
Ambassador Gibson's announcement
was made in the course of discussion
of the budgetary method of limitation
which the British and Italian represent
atives said their governments favored
although not to the exclusion of more
direct methods of limitation.
The American envoy declared that the
American Government, after examining
the question infinitely recently, had
found 1t could not change its attitude of
opposition to the plan, and he asserted
that the United States was not likely to
sign any convention imposing this
method, although not Directing to other
nations limiting their expenditures.
I'VE already practice a system of
limitation by direct means, plus full pub
hcity for expenditures, Mr.. Gibson said.
I'VE believe this the most effective
method Of limiting ornaments, In
short, We believe it easier to conceal
the application of dollar than to con-
ceal the existence of rife"
Cecil Gives British Views.
Lord Cecil presented the British view
point on the subject, emphasizing the
tremendous importance in British opin-
ion, of limit for war materials. Any
n he uf xrfll H. rvJ.A
by small armies with high technical
equipment.
1t is not sufficient, he pointed out, to
limit the personnel of armies as the
numbers of men now are less important
than the material equipment of armies.
Publicity of ornaments, he said, is a
useful method. but one that exists al
ready, a good basis but utterly INSULT
Gent.
Direct limitation is in principle most
effective, he declared, but in practice
this also is insufficient.
Only limit Of expenditures, he said,
will meet the needs of the situation He
acknowledged that America might find
it difficult to accept the budgetary
method but he said he hoped she would
find way, remarking that it would be
very hard to arrive at a useful treaty
II the United States stood out.
Germany took position with Ameri-
ca, Count Won Bernstorf protesting that
direct limitation was a method indis-
pensible to any disarmament conven-
ton If Germany was to sign it.
ItaIy's Stand Reafirmed.
Italian views were presented by Gen
De Marinis, who, opening the discussion
of the scheme, reaffirmed his govern
ment's support of limitation by bud
getary restrictions for war materials
both in use and in stocks
He declared that world ornaments
had increased greatly during the last
10 months and that much of the in
crease had been in war materials. Italy,
he said, favors limitation of materials
both by direct and indirect methods,
which he regards as not mutually ex-
elusive.
After the discussion had terminated
it was commented in some quarters that
Ambassador Gibson's idea of a dual
type of convention which would provide
budgetary limitation for those that
wish it and direct limitation for others
was not entirely impossible.
It was pointed out that the chief dis
trust and suspicion was not directed at
the United States, and that European
nations might be glad to conclude such
a treaty which would leave the Ameri-
cans to follow their own system while
binding other states to put top limit
on their expenditures.