Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-30

tonnages may be fixed and according to
ratios of strength.
Some of the delegations, however,
have thought it would be more prudent
TO refrain for the moment from dis
cltssing these two points. If this is so,
we are willing to wait. For the Italian
delegation, this is not a question Of
procedure, but of substance.
I'VE should not fear to state that we
are here not so much to solve a tech
meal, but first and foremost political,
question.
Stresses Two Points.
"a profitable debate on the modes of
limiting naval ornaments cannot dis
regard the two following points: First,
on what basis of reciprocal relative
strengths is each of us prepared to &C
cept limitation of our right to freedom
of action in the matter of ornaments?
And secondly do we really intend to
enviSage reductions Of ornaments?
I'VE are all agreed that the two
points shall remain on the agenda of
the conference. I have no difficulty in
accepting that the Questions of method
and procedure written on our agenda be
examined in the meantime. must,
however, state that while the Italian
delegation is prepared to take part in
discussion on the above points, 1t does
not see its way to committing itself on
any of the questions of method or any
special point of the disarmament prob
lem until the two fundamental questions
of determination of ratios and of maxi
mum levels have been settled.
Il am fully convinced that only by
facing squarely the difficulties to which
have called your attention can we
hope to attain our purpose, which Is
surely not that of limiting upwards but
of reducing ornaments to the lowest
possible level"
Secretary Stimson then spoke briefly,
making his proposal in the form OF q
resolution that the two remaining points
on the agenda, including global and
category measurement and transfer Of
tonnage, be referred to a special COM
mittee, which he described. Ambassador
Gibson took the floor and presented
the United States position, reviewing In
detail past attempts at limiting arma
mentS.
q. s. Realizes Needs.
He suggested that the compromise
proposal of Paul Boncour, French
statesman, before the League OF Ma
tons at Geneva offered the best posi-
BILE escape from a Stalemate as TO
method, with a combination of the
global and the categorical systems.
The compromise system, Mr.. Gibson
said, would fix a definite number of
categories, with possible percentages Of
transfer from one category to another.
He said, however, that the United
States realized some nations needed
specialized navies, and America. having
no desire to force its views on others,
was willing to refer the problem to q
Ne
proval from the various delegations as
he concluded.
In his speech, Ambassador Gibson
stressed that the United States consist
emily had stood for adoption Of limita-
ton by category as being the only Sys-
TEN which would eliminate mistrust and
insecurity among the nations with re-
gard to naval questions. He empha-
sized that by the global system no ma
ton would know what its neighbor was
doing in matters Of naval construction
and would not know how to prepare It's
own defense. Fear of the unknown
engenders distrust," he said.
Andre TaFdieu, French premier, fol-
lowing Ambassador Gibson, in speech
full Of feeling, expressed the admira-
ton of the French delegation for the
Americans lucid and remarkable expo
sition Of the subject Of measuring ma
vieS. He particularly voiced frances
appreciation of Ambassador 'Gibsons
utterance that the United States recog-
nized the merit In the French compro-
mise point.
Premier Tardieu emphasized that
with such q spirit Of Cancellation the
conference would reach the goal OF
agreement for which the world was
waiting.
A. v. Alexander, first lord Of the adj
miralty for great Britain, followed Pre-
nier Tardieu with an elucidation OF the
British attitude on category Limitation
of tonnage. He declared Great Britain
stood in complete agreement with the
United States and Japan in favor OF
limitation by categories as the best
means to prevent competition, increase
security and bring about economy" add
ing, however, that the British would well
come consideration of the matter IN the
committee which Col. Stimson had pro-
T10Sad