New Britain herald., 1929-09-04
Progress Kent Secret

Geneva, Sept 4 P}-Ramsay Mac
 Donald, British premier, was asked today 10 clarfy his statement that l only three points were outstanding of twenty or more to complete naval reduction accord between the United States and Great Britain. A spokesman replied that he was unable to do so and explained that the premier was the only man in England outside General Tawcs, American ambassador, who actually knew what was going on in the naval conversations.
 The preminer's optimistic refer onCes yesterday to 'he nearness of a complete agreement between the worlds two great naval powers was most mystifying to delegations of other countries here, and to the themselves.
 Some French newspapers and the press Of other countries, have insist cd recently the conversations have not made such progress as had been aScribcd 10 them, but from the pre- mier's words it was gathered an ac- cord practically was on the verge of conclusion.
 Spcculates on Differences
 League circles spccuated as to the identity of the three points The suggestion was heard that perhaps one of the three was that of cruisers the cruiser strength of the two countries is the principal problem confronting naval agreement hopes and has because of it's difficulties been a bar to material progress heretofore.
 Another complicating factor was the distinctly cool tone of London and Washington dispatches regard ing reaction to the prcmcr's speech yesterday. The British press seem ed to regard with surprise the broad tNpanse of the prime minister's hopes, and of his statement of the situation. In Washington, it was said, here. officials intlmated an agreement between the two countries was much further away than Mr. Macdonald had intimated.
 Warns of Oycr-Optimism
 The official transcript of Mr. Mac Donald's address quoted him as say ing: Our conversations have not yet ended but the agreement mas gone very far. We do not know quite what form it will take and can say nothing that would in any way hamper President Hoover in his work.
 But I think we might produce d document that would have some- thing like twenty points of agree nent in it-a prehenSiVo docu- ment, It is a great pleasure 10 me to know that if it runs to, say, twenty points there are only three of twenty outstanding at the present moment.
 T am not at all sure--I can make no comment and please do not allow your expectations to go unreasonably I am not at all sure but that even if the announcement can be made before I must leave, an announcement of the agreement may be made before this assembly will come to an end"
 Only Few Know Facts
 The British spokesman said if he premier mentioned and hoped | 'or an agreement composed Of | .Wenty points,. he presumably had ! | reason for it.
 He thought it was conceivable i hat the status of negotiations in | he United States might be known ! only to President Hoover and Sec ! 'etary of State Stimson.
 Some European papermen got the impression from the pre- nier's recent conference with the i press that he might go to Washing i on after all as planned.
 Commenting on this impression | he British spokesman today said . le thought it was unsound. Mr | wished not to make | definite announcement that he was certain to go to the United States, because if affairs of state kept him n England at the last moment, hanged plans might cause mis- understanding, creating the impress ion something had gone wrong with the naval negotiations.