Evening star., 1932-10-11

realities. presented his own disarma-
ment proposals on June ~. Tnese
proposals, through their simplicity, their
sincerity and their fairness. electrified
the conference Some one at last had
dared to speak boldly and to face the
real issues. At last there was something
practical and tangible to discuss. When
the conference on July 23 recessed
until January, the Presidents proposals
were made the basis Of its future work.
"This, in a few words. is the history
Of the conference up to now. and II
may be well to remind you. particularly
those of you who have felt discouraged
over the slow progress, OF the immense
complexity and herculean proportions
of the task which the world Is facing
in irving to solve this disarmament
problem. We must not forget. for ex-
ample, that international conferences
do not legislate-as do parliamentary
majority vote. To move forward re-
uuires unanimous consent. Among free
nations no other principle Is concelv-
able.
when you remember that at WASH
ington and London the only requisite
was unanimity of five nations, and that
these conferences took a long time,
YOU can see the difficulties at Geneva,
where progress depends on agreement
Of so nations. Can you imagine the
situation in Congress II unanimtty were
required for the passage Of essential
legislation?
Must Go Slowly.
IT am afraid we should get few laws
and still fewer with teeth in them, yet
only in that way can international con-
ferences proceed They must go slowly
and instead of despairing at the delays
we should only take satisfaction over
every step Forwards satisfaction IN
our case made all the greater by q
realization of the active and effective
part America has played in this for
ward move.
THE principal spokesman for the
United States at the conference was our
Ambassador to Belgium, Hugh Gibson,
who was one of our delegates to the
London Naval Conference and repre-
sented us at the many and various ses-
sions of the Preparatory Disarmament
Commission. He was ably and force
fully assisted by Senator Swanson of
Virginia: Norman H. Davis, Undersec-
retary of State in the Cabinet Of Presi-
dent Wilson; DR.. Mary Woolley. presi-
dent of Mount Holyoke College, and
Hugh Wilson, our Minister to Switzer-
land.
Nine Point Program.
"On February 8, 1882, Mr.. Gibson
submitted to the conference nine
point program, which I must read you
in full, as it explains the stand Of your
Government:
Il. The American Government ad-
vocates consideration OF the draft con-
vention as containing the outlines for
a convenient basis for discussion. while
expressing its entire willingness to give
full consideration to any supplementary
proposals calculated to advance the end
we all seek.
20. We suggest the possibility Of pro-
longing the existing naval agreements
concluded at Washington and London,
and we advocate completing the latter
as soon as possible by the adherence of
France and Italy.
Would Abolish Submarines.
"3. We advocate proportional reduc-
tion from the figures laid down in the
Washington and London agreements on
naval tonnage as soon as all parties to
the washington agreement have en-
tered this framework.
a. We advocate. as We long have
done, the total abolition of submarines
IS. We will join in formulating the
most effective measures to protect civil
ian population against aerial bombing.
"6. We advocate the total abolition