Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-13

Optimism on the part Of Premier
Ramsay Macdonald of Great Britain
as to the prospect of an effective agree
ment for armament reduction IS COM
mended and he is also credited with
courage In his stand against competi-
ton with the United States. His talk
at Geneva has caused many Americans
to examine the conditions back of his
statement and, while he is believed to
is expressed as to material change in
the situation.
Progress toward disarmament" says
the Newark Evening News, sis reduced
to a mathematical formula by the pre-
mier's speech. He hopes to reach an
agreement with the United States on 20
points. On all but three of these he
and President Hoover are in accord.
But these three are the most difficult
ones. Both Washington and London
caution against letting expectation go
too far. More definite character was
given the negotiations by MT. Mac
Donalds statement that Great Britain
will not think of building against the
United States" The News finds salts
faction in the fact that 1.-THE suspicion
that has marked previous efforts has
disappeared"
The st. Louis Globe-Democrat empha-
sizes the fact that the premier spoke
in general terms on the negotiations
with the United States, when the special
desire in this country is for information
in such specific terms as will tell just
what the plan will propose" That
paper, however, concludes: Expectancy
as to the provisions of the compact is
increased. It would be q reproach If
an agreement that seems to promise
so much should fail because of frac-
tional disagreement as negligible as
three-twentieths."
What the nations need" in the
opinion of the Omaha World-Herald,
sis the simultaneous leadership of men
with q strong and compelling will to
peace. Great Britain, the United States
and France seem for the moment to
have such leadership. Hoover and Mac
Donald give the impression Of caring
more for the ultimate attainment OF
their object than of trying to outw1t
each other to gain an advantage Tor
their respective countries. What two
such powerful men may be able to
accomplish in an atmosphere OF such
sympathetic understanding stirs the
imagination. Mr.. MacDonald's great
optimism may be entirely justified"
Doubt is expressed by the Charleston
Daily Mail, although it agrees that the
principle is admirable and one to inspire
effort. There are many obstacles" con-
tinues that paper, Ito be overcome before
the necessary agreement can be
reached. It becomes question
of each country's representatives look
ing after the interests of their own
country. At this point rises also the
fact that what is to the interest OF one
country is against the interests OF some
other country. The next question Is,
Which of these countries will make the
necessary sacrifice, or does the differ
ence in national interests permit OF
COMPROMISED"
"As history shows" according to the
Chattanooga Times, 1.-The best-laid plans
of presidents and European statesmen
gang aft agley' in Congress-espe-
cially in the United States Senate.
And it would be just as well for those
who are working to tighten the bur-
den Of naval expenditures and reduce
the possibility of war to keep this fact
clearly In mind" The New Orleans
Item adds: ''The pleasant anticipa-
lions that might otherwise arise from
Premier MacDonald,s announcement
that his government and ours are
agreed on most of the principles af-
fecting Navy reduction are somewhat
chilled by the persistence Of the I'M
pressions derived from reports from
Washington. For we read: President
Hoover has progressed far enough in
his Navy disarmament negotiations
with Prime Minister Macdonald to be
satisfied that it will be necessary for
the United States to build considerable